NC coronavirus hospitalizations reach all-time high for second straight day
The state’s coronavirus update showed troubling numbers on Thursday, as Gov. Roy Cooper faced another challenge to his authority to keep businesses closed during the pandemic.
The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 increased by 33 to 827 and hospitalizations established a new single-day high of 708, according to data released by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
The state has reported 83 deaths since Sunday. Reported hospitalizations have jumped 20.6% from 587 to 708 over that same time period. The state said 90% of NC’s hospitals are now reporting data, compared to 80% last Sunday.
The day-over-day total of lab-confirmed cases recorded in the state increased by 784 to 25,412. The state reported 11,036 completed tests since Wednesday.
Gov. Roy Cooper said he was concerned about hospitalizations rising. But hospitals, which are now beginning to schedule procedures that had been delayed in the pandemic, can pivot to make more space for COVID-19 patients, he said at a news conference Thursday.
The state is in Phase Two of a plan to gradually allow for expansion of business and leisure activities.
“This is why we are in Phase Two right now and not reopening everything up,” Cooper said. “This is why we think we need to stay in Phase Two for a while, to see how these numbers go.”
A DHHS report Thursday said the number of people seeking emergency room treatment for COVID-like illness increased in the week that ended May 23. The percentage of people who were admitted to hospitals from emergency rooms for treatment of COVID-like illness also increased.
Most areas of the state, including the region that includes the Triangle, saw increases in emergency room visits from people with COVID-like illness. The state is using a monitoring system typically used to track the flu to track COVID-19 trends.
The legislature, meanwhile, is working on speeding up business activity.
Lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that would allow bars, which have been closed, to serve people outside. And Republican members of the state House said bills to open gyms, which have also been closed in the pandemic, will follow.
Even as cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, the state’s healthcare system is not close to reaching capacity. Thursday’s DHHS update showed 76% of ventilators are available with 24% of in-patient hospital beds and 18% of intensive care beds also available.
The state also updates the number of people deemed to have recovered from COVID-19. The latest estimate, released Monday, showed 14,954 recoveries. That estimate is based on passing time, not on medical evaluation. People are presumed to have recovered 14 days after their infection was first diagnosed if they have not been hospitalized. If they have been hospitalized, they are presumed to recover after 28 days.
The News & Observer is keeping track of coronavirus cases and deaths, with numbers greater than state reports. The state reports data at around 11 a.m. daily, while the N&O keeps track of new cases announced by counties throughout the day. As of Thursday evening, that total is 25,738 cases and 867 deaths.
Last Friday, Cooper’s latest executive order went into effect, ending his stay-at-home order and relaxing many of the social restrictions that had been in place since late March. Restaurants were allowed to serve dine-in customers but at a limited capacity and while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people indoors and no more than 25 outdoors.
Legislators want bars to open
House bill 536 would allow bars to reopen for outdoor service at 50% of their indoor capacity, or for 100 customers, whichever is less, The News & Observer reported. The bill received bipartisan support in the Senate, with five Democrats voting against it. The House was more divided. The bill now goes to Cooper.
Restaurants and other establishments that serve food and drinks would be able to offer outdoor service at 50% of their indoor capacity, too. Restaurant dining rooms have been allowed to open at 50% capacity since May 22.
Cooper criticized the legislature’s move to allow bars to open on a day when COVID-19 hospitalizations hit a new high and deaths continued to rise.
“Legislation in this area can hurt public health,” he said.
Under the bill, bars would not have to close even if coronavirus infections surge, Cooper said.
“I know that this is a tough time for business,” Cooper said. “I believe there will be a time when we can open bars. That time is not now.”
Staff writer Lucille Sherman contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 11:21 AM.