Six months of coronavirus in NC: Where we stand in cases, hospitalizations and deaths
Six months ago Thursday, North Carolina reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19. Since then, the state has reported 172,209 cases of the disease.
The state reported that it had surpassed 1,000 cases on March 29, only 26 days after the first case was reported on March 3. North Carolina’s case total reached the 10,000 on April 30 and 100,000 cases on July 20, The News & Observer previously reported. North Carolina reported its first deaths from the virus on March 26.
Reported cases increased by more than 2,000 Thursday from Wednesday’s total of 170,553, according to the state’s coronavirus dashboard.
The most recent reported COVID-19 hospitalization numbers is for Tuesday, when 858 people were reported hospitalized. That represents 88 fewer patients were than Monday, and the lowest number since June 21, when 845 people were reported hospitalized. DHHS on Thursday noted on its dashboard that it identified a potential error in the submitted hospitalization data, which delayed posting of the updated numbers.
NC’s coronavirus deaths, hospitalizations, funding
The percent of positive tests was 7.6% on Monday, the last time the DHHS updated that data on its dashboard. The average turnaround time for testing was two days as of Wednesday.
DHHS said all its COVID-19 data, including hospitalizations, is preliminary and subject to revisions.
The state reported 24 additional COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, bringing the total to 2803.
The state legislature on Thursday passed a nearly $1 billion spending bill that would use the rest of the state’s share of federal COVID-19 relief funding.
The Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 would give all North Carolina households with parents of children 17 and younger a $335 stimulus check to help offset costs associated with remote learning at schools.
Gov. Cooper’s Phase 2.5 set to begin
On Friday at 5 p.m., the state will enter Phase 2.5 of the Gov. Roy Cooper’s gradual reopening of businesses and leisure activity during the coronavirus pandemic. Cooper announced Wednesday that gyms and other fitness centers, museums, playgrounds and aquariums can open with occupancy limits.
Cooper raised the limit on indoor and outdoor gatherings. Twenty-five people will be able to meet indoors and 50 people will be able to gather outdoors.
This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 1:12 PM.