COVID-19 cases rising again in NC, passing 2,000 new cases for first time in weeks
New coronavirus cases broke the 2,000 mark for the first time in about three weeks, the state heath department reported Friday.
The state Department of Health and Human Services reported 2,008 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases Friday, up slightly from Thursday. The last time the state reported more than 2,000 new cases was on July 30, when it had 2,344.
In all, the state has had 151,912 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the first case was reported in March. The official total is likely an undercount because coronavirus testings wasn’t widespread early in the pandemic.
Eight percent of tests were positive Thursday, higher than the 5% or less than state health officials want.
The state reported 29 additional COVID-19 deaths Friday, bringing the total to 2,494.
DHHS reported 1,015 people with COVID-19 were in hospitals on Thursday, with 90% of hospitals reporting. The number was unchanged from Wednesday.
DHHS advises that the data on the COVID-19 dashboard is preliminary and can be adjusted as more reporting is collected. They advise looking at trends over a period of time.
Outbreaks on campus
State university campuses are facing COVID-19 outbreaks that are changing their plans for classes and sports.
In a press release Friday, DHHS connected universities’ opening to increased viral spread.
“Since students have returned to campuses, viral spread has increased, originating in communal living settings on and off campus, social gatherings on and off campus, and with athletic teams,” the press release said.
“Given the lack of a vaccine and the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, higher education institutions should take aggressive action to limit the spread of the virus and protect campuses and surrounding communities.”
After a spike in coronavirus cases, N.C. State University decided Thursday that all fall semester classes for undergraduates will be held remotely, The News & Observer reported. Students will be allowed to live in dorms.
East Carolina University in Greenville stopped all football activities indefinitely after identifying a coronavirus cluster within the football program.
UNC-Chapel Hill decided earlier this week to go all-remote and to close residence halls to most students. Classes are suspended Monday and Tuesday to allow students time to regroup, The N&O reported. And testing began Friday of students and employees connected with three residence halls with large numbers of cases: Hinton James and Ehringhaus on campus and Granville Towers off campus.
Statewide, 14% of COVID-19 cases are among people 18-24 years old. In Watauga County, home to Appalachian State University, 37% of COVID-19 cases are in people of that age group. Appalachian State suspended football practice a few days ago because of a COVID-19 cluster. On Friday, the university reported 50 active COVID-19 cases among students and five among staff members.
In Pitt County, home to East Carolina University, 24% of cases are in 18- to 24-year-olds, and in Orange County, 34% of cases are among people in that age group.
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 12:55 PM.