After near-record increases, NC’s new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are declining
The number of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in North Carolina continued to drop for a third consecutive day Sunday, after a near-record increase in cases and hospitalizations over the last week.
There were an additional 1,341 COVID-19 cases and five new related deaths, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported Sunday afternoon.
At least 125,219 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 1,969 have died, DHHS reported.
Sunday saw the lowest daily increase in cases in over than a week.
Hospitalization decrease
Hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 in the state decreased by nine on Sunday and are at 1,142 currently, according to DHHS.
The hospitalization record is 1,236, which was reported by the state last Wednesday, July 29.
The number of completed COVID-19 tests increased by 27,098 on Sunday to 1,813,510, according to DHHS.
NC DHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said Tuesday that key pandemic factors are stabilizing, although on Thursday, cases increased again. They’ve gradually lowered since.
Isaias approaches
The steadily decreasing totals came as North Carolina braces for tropical storm Isaias which will possibly bring tropical storm force winds of 39 mph or more within 48 hours in the state, according to the weather service.
The weather service has issued a tropical storm watch for a broad area of eastern North Carolina, including Wake, Johnston, Harnett and Franklin counties.
A flash flood watch has been issued for a broader area of central and eastern North Carolina, including Chatham, Durham and Orange counties.
Six southeastern counties are under a tropical storm warning, including Wilmington and Lumberton. A warning means tropic storm force winds are expected within 36 hours.
As of 2 p.m., the center of Isaias was about 45 miles east southeast of Vero Beach in South Florida.
This story was originally published August 2, 2020 at 3:04 PM with the headline "After near-record increases, NC’s new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are declining."
