NC reports almost 8,000 new COVID-19 cases; hospitalizations continue to climb
The NC Department of Health and Human Services reported 3,789 patients in hospitals with COVID-19 statewide on Thursday, the fourth-straight day of increases in more than a month’s steady climb.
DHHS also updated its dashboard, reporting 1,228,803 total cases, 7,901 more than Wednesday’s total. Thursday’s caseload increase marks the 15th-largest single-day rise.
Of cases recorded over the last week, the largest age group affected are by far between the ages of 25 and 49 — 40% of the total.
Meanwhile, the death toll from COVID-19 rose to 14,625 Thursday, adding another 96 fatalities to the state’s total.
As hospital cases continue their rise, the state health department reports 914 adult patients receiving intensive care. Across the state, 289 ICU beds remain empty, slightly more than DHHS reported Wednesday.
The news comes as 17 Triangle schools are reporting COVID-19 clusters, some with more than 20 cases.
With 788 people dead, DHHS called August the deadliest month in North Carolina since the pandemic’s height in February. Fatalities jumped 378% over July’s total.
The North Carolina health department released a report Friday showing that 477 deaths in the four weeks before Aug. 21, 84% of which struck unvaccinated people.
Nearly 16 million COVID-19 tests have been given since the pandemic’s beginning, and on Thursday, 12.6% of those reported showed positive results. State health officials have long set 5% as a target.
Gov. Roy Cooper and other state officials continue to urge vaccinations. As of Thursday, DHHS reported 66% of the population with at least one dose of vaccine and 61% fully vaccinated.
This story was originally published September 2, 2021 at 12:02 PM.