NC percent positive COVID-19 tests steady over past week, fewer hospitalized
North Carolina’s coronavirus caseload rose on Saturday by more than 1,000 new cases.
North Carolina has completed 1.9 million total tests as of Saturday. The state’s percent of positive tests remains at 6%, where it’s been for the last week. That’s one point higher than the 5% goal North Carolina public health officials have set.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human services reported 1,536 new positive cases, bringing the state’s total since March to 143,706. The daily increase is far below a peak in new cases seen in mid-July, when the state set a single-day record of more than 2,400.
As of Saturday, 2,343 people have died from COVID-19 in North Carolina. The state’s death toll rose by 30 on Saturday.
More than 1,000 people remain hospitalized with the coronavirus, with 90 percent of the state’s hospitals reporting data. There are currently 1,032 people hospitalized with COVID-19, down 17 from Friday.
In the last 24 hours, 380 patients were admitted to North Carolina hospitals with suspected coronavirus symptoms.
Rising COVID-19 cases among young people has been among the concerns for public health officials in the past month. In North Carolina, people age 25-49 represent 43 percent of all cases and people 18-24 represent 14 percent.
This comes as North Carolina’s major universities began classes for the fall semester. In its first week of classes, UNC-Chapel Hill reported outbreaks at two residence halls.
This story was originally published August 15, 2020 at 2:15 PM.
