The United Way of North Carolina has released responses to a statewide survey on the social and economic impact of COVID-19.
The agency polled more than 8,500 North Carolinians about the effects the pandemic has had on their lives.
About 45 percent said they either lost a job or were working fewer hours. The hardest-hit sectors for those who lost employment included agriculture, food service, and retail customer service.
Child care was also a significant problem for many respondents. Only about one in five said they were able to keep their pre-pandemic child care arrangements.
80 percent said they feared they or a loved one would catch the virus.
The survey covered the period from the start of the pandemic through August.