New COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations in NC fall to lowest levels in two months
North Carolina reported 4,568 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 Thursday, while the state’s seven-day average for new cases fell to 4,068 — the lowest the seven-day average for new cases has been since early December.
The state Department of Health and Human Services also reported Thursday that the number of people hospitalized, 2,185, was at its lowest since early December.
DHHS added 113 deaths to the state’s coronavirus death toll on Thursday, bringing the total to 10,294. Deaths do not all occur on the date they are reported. DHHS updates its numbers as information becomes available. According to the most recent DHHS data, the deadliest day of the pandemic was Jan. 4 when 107 people died. That number has changed at least twice in the past week.
According to DHHS data, the seven-day average for deaths reported by date of death in North Carolina has fallen to 23, the lowest seven-day average since last October.
So far this year, 2,730 North Carolinians have died due to the virus, according to the most recent data from DHHS. Dates of deaths are missing for five deaths, as of Thursday.
Among the tests reported on Tuesday, the latest day with data available, 5.9% returned positive, the lowest reported since Oct. 30.
State health officials have said that they want the rate at 5% or lower. The last time that North Carolina met this standard was Sept. 24.
Case and hospitalization data reported by DHHS are preliminary and subject to change upon further investigation. Here are additional statistics reported Thursday, with changes from the previous day:
- Total cases: 810,466 (+4,568)
- Deaths: 10,294 (+113)
- Tests: 9,447,619 (+68,524)
- People hospitalized: 2,185 (-107)
- Available ICU beds: 449 (-12)
- Available inpatient beds: 4,865 (-171)
- Patients on ventilators: 1,126 (+4)
Inpatient and ICU beds are not all used by COVID-19 patients, according to DHHS.
Vaccine statistics reported Thursday:
- First doses arrived: 1,112,375
- First doses administered: 1,035,333 (93%)
- Second doses arrived: 603,550
- Second doses administered: 371,074 (61%)
Vaccine doses administered in NC through the federal long-term care program:
- First doses arrived: 150,900
- First doses administered: 104,486 (69%)
- Second doses arrived: 150,900
- Second doses administered: 43,485 (29%)
Total vaccine doses administered in NC: 1,554,378
This story was originally published February 11, 2021 at 12:36 PM.