Coronavirus totals rose by nearly 400 cases in North Carolina Thursday, taking another large jump after two days of relative slowdown.

NC DHHS reported 7,608 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 388 from Wednesday’s total. That tally reflects all North Carolinians who have tested positive for coronavirus, and DHHS warns the true total is likely higher.

Since the pandemic hit North Carolina in early March, 253 people have died statewide. That count rose by 11 Thursday.

Of all virus-infected residents, 486 are hospitalized, a total that increased by 52 Thursday. COVID-19 has now turned up in 93 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, a number that has held steady for a week.

The updated totals reversed a slight slowdown in which cases rose in the 200s statewide.

They also arrived shortly before Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to announce his plans at 3 p.m. for reopening the state. North Carolina has been under a stay-at-home order for nearly three weeks.

The News & Observer is keeping a separate case count based on reports from DHHS and county health departments, which tends to be higher because the state takes longer to confirm cases. As of Thursday morning, that tally stood at 7,759 cases and 275 deaths.

This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 11:24 AM.

Josh Shaffer

The News & Observer

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Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places.