North Carolina’s COVID-19 cases decline for second day in a row
The number of new coronavirus cases in North Carolina has declined for a second consecutive day after a near-record increase in cases on Thursday as deaths see a higher increase and hospitalizations decrease.
There were an additional 1,730 COVID-19 cases and 40 new related deaths, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported late Saturday afternoon.
At least 123,878 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 1,964 have died, NC DHHS reported.
Saturday saw the biggest daily decrease in hospitalizations in the last seven days.
Hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 in the state decreased by 78 Saturday and is at 1,151 from 1,229 currently, according to DHHS.
The current hospitalization record is 1,272 which was reported by the state on Wednesday, July 29.
The number of completed COVID-19 tests increased by 29,310 on Saturday to 1,786,412, according to DHHS.
NC DHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said Tuesday that key pandemic factors are stabilizing, although on Thursday, cases increased again. They have gradually dropped since.
The updated totals came as North Carolina braces for Hurricane Isaias to strike the coast as a Category 1 storm. State emergency officials warned residents to brace for some impact.
“Being prepared for potential hurricanes is extra important this year because of the pandemic,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a Friday tweet. “Protect yourself, your family and first responders by making sure you have emergency supplies and creating an evacuation plan.”
This story was originally published August 1, 2020 at 4:52 PM.
