North Carolina sets new records for new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to show the correct number of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations across, as reported July 11.
North Carolina’s COVID-19 hospitalizations and the number of cases set new records Saturday.
There were an additional 2,462 COVID-19 cases and 20 new related deaths, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported Saturday.
At least 83,793 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 1,499 have died, NC DHHS reported.
The number of those in the state hospitalized for COVID-19 increased by 47 on Saturday to 1,093, according to DHHS.
“Record-high numbers like today are concerning,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, NCDHHS Secretary, in a statement. “We all have a responsibility to one another to wear a face covering, avoid crowds and wash our hands often to get our trends going back in the right direction.”
The hospitalization numbers are based on 88% of the hospitals reporting, which is down slightly from Friday’s 92% reporting.
About 78% of the inpatient hospital beds are in use, along with 77% of intensive care unit beds, which is about the same as Friday, according to the state.
Hospitalizations in the state set a new record of 982 Monday and continued to climb each day, including rising above 1,000 on Thursday.
Last week the number of hospitalizations ranged between 843 and 951.
Setting new records
The one-day increase in cases breaks the July 3 record of 2,099. The number of new cases climbed over 2,000 one other time when it hit 2,039 on Thursday.
The number of completed COVID-19 tests increased by 25,446 Saturday to 1,176,058.
Testing has expanded across the state, a result of new testing sites and a new standing order that allows anyone to get a test without a doctor’s order. That order was issued Tuesday by DHHS.
The order also authorizes testing sites to receive results directly from laboratories.
“Now there is a standing order that says we want people to get tested,” Cohen said at a Tuesday press conference. “It just allows for that testing to happen more quickly as well as for results to go back to that person in a more streamlined way.”
The state also will open 300 temporary testing locations by the end of the month in 100 ZIP codes — locations that have limited access to testing.
But while some of the increases can be attributed to more testing, state health officials have said that more people are becoming infected as a result of community spread.
State public health officials track coronavirus spread through metrics that include hospitalizations, the number of new cases, and the percentage of people who tested positive.
The percentage of positive cases remained at 10% Friday, the latest figure available, up from 8% the day before.
The percentage of positive cases in June and July have fluctuated between 8% and 10%.
North Carolina remains in Phase Two of Gov. Roy Cooper’s reopening plan, which will be in effect until at least July 17. Cooper said he will announce this week next steps for North Carolina’s public schools and and potential details about Phase Three.
Local increases
▪ In Mecklenburg County, cases increased by 450 to 14,607. The county has 60 deaths, an increase of six since Friday.
▪ Wake County cases increased by 335 to 7,204. Sixty-six people have died in Wake, up six since Friday.
▪ Durham County cases increased by 99 to 4,425. Sixty-eight people have died, an increase of one since Friday.
▪ Orange County’s cases increased by 23 to 933. Forty-two people have died.
This story was originally published July 11, 2020 at 12:49 PM.
