Reported coronavirus hospitalizations in NC increase and set another one-day high
After making a downturn during the July 4 weekend, the number of new confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Carolina showed an increase Monday while total hospitalizations set a one-day high, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services reported.
There were 1,546 new reported cases and the DHHS reported there were 982 people hospitalized for the virus Monday. That’s the highest total since the COVID-19 pandemic reached North Carolina in early March, topping the previous one-day high of 951 on Friday.
It marked the seventh straight day the hospitalization total topped 900. With 81% of the state’s hospitals reporting, 28% of the in-patient beds and 26% of the ICU beds were available.
A total of 1,398 people have died from coronavirus, according to DHHS, with two additional deaths in the reporting period.
In Wake County, there were 170 new confirmed cases of the virus, and no additional deaths, since Sunday’s report.
The DHHS reported Monday afternoon that 55,318 people in the state are “presumed to be recovered” from the virus. The DHHS, which issues the report once a week, stressed that the total is an estimate and that recovery times vary for those infected by COVID-19 and those who are hospitalized.
Coronavirus outbreaks at congregate facilities
The demographic data provided by the state continued to show those ages 25 to 49 accounting for most of the confirmed COVID-19 cases during the pandemic — 33,385 of the state’s total of 74,529, or 45%. The number also is high among the state’s Hispanic communities with 22,212 cases of coronavirus.
While those ages 65 and older have had 14% of the cases of the virus, they have had 79% of the deaths at 1,108. And 59% (823) of the deaths have been by those 75 and older.
The most recent DHHS congregate living report, released Friday, reported 670 deaths in nursing homes and 118 in residential care facilities.
On July 1, Wake County reported an outbreak at Capital Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Raleigh — the second outbreak at the long-term care facility. Wake County Public Health said the test results showed residents and staff having tested positive.
Wake County has since reported outbreaks at Sunrise at North Hills and Abbotswood at Stonehenge, two assisted living communities. Both residents and staff tested positive at both facilities.
DHHS defines an outbreak as two or more people — residents or employees — testing positive for the virus.
DHHS on Friday reported on its dashboard the death of a person 17 and under in Wake County. On Monday, Wake County health officials Monday said that listing is inaccurate. Wake County has had no such death in that age group, county spokeswoman Leah Holdren told The News & Observer Monday. Holdren said county staff is working with DHHS to correct their records.
Wake County testing continues
Wake County Public Health has announced it will continue its drive-thru COVID-19 testing for at-risk residents next week.
The free testing will be done at the Wake County Commons Building on July 13-14 and July 16-18. The testing will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those who want to be tested must follow a three-step process, including selecting a time slot on the date they want to be tested; complete a registration form from the Wake County COVID-19 website (https://covid19.wakegov.com/testing) and then print the form or save it to email for access at the testing site.
Testing will be done for:
▪ Anyone with COVID-like symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and loss of smell.
▪ Those who have been in close contact with a known positive case of COVID-19.
▪ Healthcare workers or first responders.
▪ Those who work in high-risk settings such long-term care facilities, correctional facilities or homeless shelters.
▪ Those 65 years old or older and those who have underlying health conditions;
▪ Those who are in a vulnerable or historically marginalized population.
▪ Those who have attended a mass gathering or protest.
Candidates for drive-thru are being asked to go to the WCPH website to schedule an appointment.
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 1:06 PM.
