Reported coronavirus hospitalizations in NC reach another single-day high
Cases of COVID-19 grew at a smaller rate as the percentage of positive tests stayed at 8% Tuesday, but deaths and hospitalizations due to the disease increased, according to state health officials.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ daily update showed 626 new cases reported since Monday with 13,013 tests completed. That daily total of new cases is the smallest number since 488 new cases were reported last Wednesday.
At the same time, the number of deaths attributed to the virus rose by 23 to 921.
The number of patients hospitalized by COVID-19 jumped by 66 to 716. That information came as 89% of hospitals reported data on Tuesday, compared to 75% on Monday.
State officials said 77% of ventilators are available while 27% of hospital beds and 20% of intensive care beds are available. Those are signs the state’s healthcare system has room to accommodate new COVID-19 patients should a spike in cases occur.
On Monday, DHHS released its weekly update on the number of people presumed to have recovered from COVID-19. The new total is 18,860.
The News & Observer is keeping track of coronavirus cases and deaths, with numbers greater than state reports. The state reports data at around noon daily, while the N&O keeps track of new cases announced by counties throughout the day. As of Tuesday afternoon, that total is 30,022 cases and 961 deaths.
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 1:07 PM.