NC has reported more than 190,000 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic
North Carolina reported 1,443 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, about 100 fewer than reported Thursday.
With the new lab-confirmed cases, North Carolina has counted 191,019 COVID-19 cases in the state since the first one identified in March.
The seven-day average for new cases was 1,248 on Friday, compared to the seven-day average of 1,147 on Sept. 11. The seven-day average on Sept. 4 was 1,554.
More than 2.7 million coronavirus tests have been performed for state residents, including 25,978 reported Friday.
The COVID-19 death toll rose by another 27 people, the state Department of Health and Human Services reported, bringing deaths to 3,207 since the first two were announced March 26.
Hospitals told DHHS that they treated 904 people with COVID-19 as inpatients Thursday, with 94% of the state’s hospitals reporting. That total represents an increase of 10 people from the day before, but is still below the July and August peaks of 1,000 and more hospitalized patients.
On Wednesday, 5.1% of coronavirus test results were positive, close to the 5% health officials want. The positive percentage had hovered around 5% for a string of days starting Sept. 9, but had crept closer to 6% on Monday and Tuesday.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday that key metrics were stable enough to allow public schools to start full-time, in-person learning for children in grades K-5, The News & Observer reported. Some parents and Republican legislators have been pushing to reopen schools. Elementary schools can open under the “minimal social distancing plan” beginning Oct. 5, also known as Plan A.
Middle and high school will continue to follow Plan B, with “moderate social distancing” requirements that limit how many people can be on campus, or Plan C, which is virtual instruction.
Friday, after getting pressure from parents of UNC and NC State football players, the mass gathering limit is being relaxed so NC State parents can attend the home game against Wake Forest on Saturday, and UNC parents can attend the Tar Heels’ next home game, The N&O reported.