Daily COVID-19 cases drop in North Carolina after two consecutive record-breaking days
COVID-19 cases in North Carolina continue to rise with 2,102 cases reported Saturday. The number of new daily cases decreased slightly after two consecutive record-breaking days.
The state has reported 243,725 cases of coronavirus since the pandemic started in March, according to the NC Department of Health and Human Services data dashboard.
In North Carolina, hospitalizations, new cases and hospital emergency room visits by people with COVID-like symptoms are trending up for the month, The News & Observer previously reported.
But DHHS reported the number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital dropped from 1,148 to 1,140 on Saturday. That data is preliminary and may change, according to DHHS.
The state’s hospitals have plenty of capacity, according to Dr. Mandy Cohen, DHHS secretary, but she’s concerned about cases rising as flu season is starting, particularly with smaller hospitals.
DHHS reported 19 additional COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total to 3,929 since March.
The percentage of positive test results for COVID-19 tests taken Thursday is reported at 6.6%, which is higher than the 5% positivity rate health officials are looking for.
At a press conference Thursday, Cohen and Gov. Roy Cooper said the state’s trends are going in the “wrong direction,” The News & Observer previously reported. They asked that more people better comply with basic safety protocols, including wearing a face mask and avoiding large gatherings.
“There’s not one geographical area or industry to blame,” Cooper said. “I know we’re all tired of this. It’s frustrating to feel confined and to do the things we need to do to slow the spread of the virus. But we can’t let weariness and frustration win out.”
North Carolina is also in the “red zone” for new COVID-19 cases with the state 100’s new cases for every 100,000 people, according to The White House Coronavirus Task Force’s latest report as reported by The Center for Public Integrity.
The state loosened restrictions in early October, allowing bars, amusement parks and movie theaters to open as part of the Phase 3 reopening plan. That plan is set to expire Oct. 23 and Cooper has not said whether he will extend Phase 3 or revert back to stricter rules.
This story was originally published October 17, 2020 at 11:06 AM.
