North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced during Wednesday's briefing that the state's number one priority is reopening school's doors to allow in-person learning by August.
North Carolina reported the state's highest daily coronavirus case increase with 1,843 new cases and 30 additional deaths since Tuesday.
Governor Cooper says North Carolina's goal is to reopen classroom doors by August, however a statewide school reopening plan will be announced in the near future.
The governor says the decision will be based on the trends in coronavirus case numbers being reported.
Schools that are set to reopen in July are asked to continue remote learning until in-person learning is allowed by the state.
Schools were asked in June to compose three plans to reopen safely. The governor asks for schools to continue to work on these plans to ensure staff and students are able to return with safe coronavirus measures.
Cooper says the classroom is the best way for children to learn, based on recent reports.
Cooper says North Carolina has given a two-month supply of PPE to school nurses and staff along with statewide contracts to allow schools to purchase supplies, such as face masks and hand sanitizer for students.
The governor says he acknowledges that more has to be done in order for schools to safely reopen their classroom doors.
To meet the goal to return in August, Cooper says residents must wear face coverings to stabilize numbers and trends.