North Carolina hospitals add nearly 400 new COVID-19 patients over the weekend
North Carolina hospitals added nearly 400 new COVID-19 patients over the weekend, as the omicron variant continued its rapid spread.
The state Department of Health and Human Resources reported 3,850 hospitalizations Monday, up by 376 people since Friday.
That total approaches the state’s record-high of 3,990, set in January of 2021.
Meanwhile, DHHS listed 71,180 new COVID-19 cases tallied over the weekend, pushing the state’s total to 1.88 million since the pandemic’s beginning.
Omicron variant is dominant
State health officials have stressed that omicron is the dominant variant statewide and responsible for most of the new cases, and that those in hospitals are mostly unvaccinated.
Only 59% of the NC population is fully vaccinated as of Monday, though that figure rises to 63% among eligible residents 5 and older and 70% among adults.
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a reminder Monday that residents ages 12 to 15 are now eligible for the Pfizer booster shot.
“Getting a safe and effective shot and then a booster will help protect children so they can continue to safely participate in school, sports and clubs, in-person and with their friends,” said Cooper in a tweet.
The pandemic’s death toll rose by another 66 people over the weekend, hitting a new total of 19,685.
More than 22.6 million tests have been taken since the pandemic’s beginning, and the rate of positive results stood at 31.1% Monday. Though down slightly from Friday, that figure is more than six times the state’s 5% goal.
This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 12:42 PM.