Mecklenburg COVID-19 cases rise to 1,482. Test reporting error skewed NC’s total.

Mecklenburg County has 1,482 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Sunday, according to data from the state Department of Health and Human Services. There were no new deaths disclosed Sunday morning.

The county reported late Sunday a total of 1,471 cases and said 40 residents have died from coronavirus. State officials report 1 additional death, for a total of 41. State and county coronavirus data can differ, with the county reporting only deaths and positive test results among Mecklenburg residents. North Carolina data includes people who are being treated locally or who test positive in Mecklenburg but live elsewhere.

Statewide, cases rose Sunday, with 289 deaths reported. But N.C. health officials also said Sunday an earlier reporting error inflated the statewide case total. Officials corrected Saturday’s total number of cases to 8,542 and reported a total of 8,830 on Sunday morning.

All test results sent Saturday from a health care provider in the eastern part of North Carolina were incorrectly reported as positive, leading to an overcount of cases, DHHS said Sunday.

Because not all people with COVID-19 are tested, the true count of infections is almost certainly higher than the count provided by the state, health officials have said.

Confirmed cases also rose in counties surrounding Mecklenburg. Their Sunday case counts are as follows:

▪ Cabarrus, 261

▪ Catawba, 52

▪ Gaston, 136

▪ Iredell, 99

▪ Lincoln, 25

▪ Rowan, 346

▪ Union, 201

▪ York County, 181

Mecklenburg County expects cases to peak in June, Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said Friday.

Eight local deaths so far were patients in long-term care facilities, according to county data released Friday. There are currently eight virus outbreaks in Mecklenburg County long-term care facilities, Harris said.

The rate of new infections is “fairly flat,” the health director said Friday, asthe eventual re-opening of businesses draws gradually closer. On Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper outlined a three-phase plan to incrementally re-open much of the state. Public schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

Battle over reopening

Despite polling showing many Americans are concerned about reopening too soon, some businesses and conservative politicians, including leaders in Gaston County, are pushing for an accelerated reopening.

Gov. Cooper’s statewide extended stay-at-home order lasts until May 8.

The first phase of the statewide plan to reopen, potentially starting when the stay-at-home order ends, allows some retailers to operate under distancing constraints. Gatherings of more than 10 people will still be prohibited, but state parks, for example, could reopen.

The next phase, a few weeks later, allows restaurant dining rooms and religious buildings to reopen with limitations. The third phase allows for larger gatherings and fewer restrictions.

This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 11:36 AM.