North Triangle News

Social distancing is not a contest, but with health or even life serving as the stakes, performance matters a great deal.

To ascertain how well North Carolina is adjusting to Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order, 11News had its I-Team and ABC affiliates tracked cell phone data county-by-county to get a determination how the state has responded.

North Carolinians are traveling an average of 2.5 miles from home, which is approximately 59% lower than two weeks ago, the report found.

The study found residents in rural areas have not followed the order in the same way other parts of the state have. As an example, 11News cited Cumberland County where travel dropped 69% to Wilson County where it only decreased 31%. The results were similar in the Triangle’s surrounding area.

The I-Team utilized information Descartes Labs provided, which contributed anonymous data from users who agreed to participate. 

Information on locations was shared through apps and social media.

There were three dates tracked, March 9, 16 and 23, according to the report. 

The first week, the average trip from home was six miles. One week later it dropped to 4.8 miles, and the next week it fell to 2.5 miles.

“I can’t stress it enough, your actions matter,” Dr. Mandy Cohen, state Health and Human Services Secretary, said to 11News. “Staying home matters. Staying home will save lives.”

Wake, Durham and Orange counties have each turned in results that pace the state, according to the report. Orange County dropped from 5.1 miles to 0.3 miles, a 95%-drop. Durham County has enjoyed a 90%-decrease and Wake County has had an 86%-drop.

As of April 5, the North Carolina Department of Human and Health Services reported 2,585 positive cases out of which 261 are hospitalized. There have been 31 reported deaths.