NC sets COVID-19 record, surpassing 2,000 in one-day increase in cases
North Carolina established new single-day high totals in the number of COVID-19 cases and people hospitalized by the disease on Friday.
The daily update from the state’s Department of Health and Human Services shows 2,099 new lab-confirmed cases, which top the previous single-day high of 1,843 on Wednesday.
“We are seeing significant spread of the virus and it is very concerning,” Dr. Mandy Cohen, DHHS secretary, said in a statement on Friday. “Today we have the highest reported day of new cases and hospitalizations — and that should be a warning to us all as we go into this holiday weekend. We don’t get a holiday from COVID-19. We all need to wear a face covering, avoid crowds and wash our hands often.”
The state has now reported at least 1,009 new lab-confirmed cases for 10 consecutive days. The seven-day rolling average of new daily cases has increased to 1,632.
The number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 is 951, with 89% of hospitals reported. That surpasses the previous single-day high of 915 set on June 23. The state reported 912 hospitalizations on Thursday with 93% of hospitals reporting data.
The state reported Friday that 11% of the COVID-19 tests came back positive, the first time that percentage has surpassed 10% since it was 12% on April 27. The state started sharing that data publicly on April 25 at a time when testing was more targeted. The single-day high of 13% was reported on April 26.
The state now reports 1,392 deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of one over Thursday’s total.
That includes the second death the state has reported in the 17-and-under age group. DHHS reported the death in Wake County but isn’t releasing any further information, citing privacy guidelines.
NC misses benchmarks
Cohen shared data at a Thursday news conference that shows the state continues to fail to hit key benchmarks that would indicate the spread of COVID-19 is slowing.
The state is seeing regular increases in the number of lab-confirmed cases and hospitalizations, two metrics DHHS updates daily.
Before hitting 11% Friday, the percent of tests coming back positive had hovered between 8-10% since May 26, the last time it was 7%. While Cohen said the stability of that trajectory is good and is low compared to Arizona (25.2%). Florida (17.7%) and Georgia (13.3%), she would rather see it approach 5%.
“We must look at these indicators as a whole package, not any one metric in isolation, because they each tell a unique piece of the story and each of them have limitations,” Cohen said.
But Cohen did sound an alarm Thursday about the state’s surveillance data, which shows an increasing number of people presenting at emergency departments with COVID-19 symptoms. It could mean even higher numbers of new lab-confirmed cases and hospitalizations are coming.
“This is our earliest detection mechanism,” Cohen said. “This metric is not impacted by testing rates or other factors. It is an early warning indicator. We need to pay attention to what this data is telling us. That line going up is concerning.”
The state updates the surveillance benchmark weekly, which includes dividing the state into seven regions. On Thursday, the data showed an increase in the percent of emergency department visits for COVID-like illness in six of the seven regions.
The only region showing a decrease includes the following counties: Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Davidson, Guilford, Rockingham, Randolph, Montgomery and Caswell.
Gov. Roy Cooper said the state’s failure to make positive strides on the benchmarks were his reason for keeping the state in Phase 2 of his three-part reopening plan. Last week, he extended his executive order and kept the state in Phase 2 until July 17. He also ordered the wearing of face coverings in public spaces mandatory.
This story was originally published July 3, 2020 at 12:37 PM.