The U.S. federal government approved a federal disaster declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina, making all 100 of the state’s counties eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

According to Governor Roy Cooper’s press office, the White House granted his request for the declaration late Wednesday. The decision allows local governments, state agencies and eligible non-profits to be reimbursed by the federal government for costs involved in responding to the coronavirus outbreak.

“This is good news for cities, towns and counties that are incurring expenses as their public health providers, first responders and emergency managers work to protect communities from COVID-19,” said Cooper said in a release. “We know this response will be costly and this federal assistance will help cover them.”

Additional help for the state may be on the way. North Carolina is still waiting for additional resources the governor requested, including disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling, disaster case management and more. Those items remain under review, according to Cooper’s press office.

The state reported its first coronavirus-related deaths this week. A resident in Cabarrus County died on Tuesday from symptoms associated with the illness and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported another death in Harnett County on Thursday.

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