NC again reports new highs in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations
The number of lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services reached a single-day high for the second day in a row Friday.
NC DHHS’ daily update showed 1,289 reported cases, 100 more than the single-day high on Thursday. New reported cases surpassed 1,000 for the fourth time in seven days.
The state also reported 13,845 new tests, bringing the total number of tests completed to 482,147.
The percentage of positive tests in the state stayed at 9% for the second day in a row.
The state also reported a new peak in hospitalizations with 717 on Friday, an increase of 59 from the day before, after a two-day decrease from the previous record-high Tuesday.
The new hospitalization numbers came as 87% of hospitals in the state reported their numbers, a 2 percentage point increase from Thursday. In hospitals, 72% of ventilators are available, while 16% of intensive care beds and 20% of hospital beds are available, according to DHHS figures.
The News & Observer is keeping its own tally of coronavirus data reported by the NC DHHS and county health departments. As of Friday afternoon, there were 33,294 cases and 1,015 deaths.
Coronavirus testing advice
DHHS launched a site Thursday that helps residents decide whether they should be tested for the novel coronavirus.
The state is ramping up testing and contact tracing in its efforts to control the spread of the virus.
The “check my symptoms” link leads to a short questionnaire about place of work, health conditions, possible contact with people infected with the virus, age, race, and ethnicity. Users will get an email or text saying whether they should consider getting a test. DHHS has a website that allows users to search for testing locations.
“These tools are one way we can help break down barriers to access, particularly for our historically marginalized populations, who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19,” Dr. Cardra Burns, senior deputy director for the Public Health Division, said in a news release. “They are part of a larger effort to make sure that testing is available in trusted and accessible places for communities of color.”
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 12:50 PM.
