Mecklenburg sees largest single-day spike in new COVID cases as testing options grow

Mecklenburg County on Friday recorded its largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases since the local outbreak began in March.

The county added 383 new COVID-19 cases from the previous day, the state Department of Health and Human Services reported. That leap surpasses Mecklenburg’s previous biggest single-day day spike of 301 cases on June 6.

The steep jumps underscore the impact of expanded coronavirus testing and increased activity among residents under Phase Two of the governor’s plan to gradually reopen businesses, local officials have suggested. Phase Two began May 22.

Mecklenburg County has seen 6,538 coronavirus cases, according to state health data Friday morning. The number is cumulative since mid-March.

Health officials say 123 people with COVID-19 have died locally, as of Friday morning. Nearly two-thirds of those were people connected to nursing homes or long-term care facilities, according to the health department.

Statewide, DHHS reported 1,768 new cases on Friday, for a total of 41,249, and 28 more deaths, for a total of 1,092.

New testing sites in Charlotte

Quest Diagnostics is opening two drive-thru coronavirus testing sites at Walmart Neighborhood Markets in Charlotte next week — at 8800 East W.T. Harris Blvd. and 11530 N. Tryon St.

They’ll be open from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Patients must be screened online to ensure they are eligible for testing. There will be no out-of-pocket costs for the tests.

The locations will be staffed by Walmart pharmacists and associates, with Quest processing the samples and sharing test results with patients, a Quest spokeswoman said.

Appointments can be scheduled online or at the testing sites if patients need assistance, but Quest will not accept walk-ups.

CVS Health on Friday opened 16 more drive-thru coronavirus testing sites throughout North Carolina, including six in Charlotte.

Patients must schedule appointments online before arriving at CVS testing sites, where they will receive a test kit. Mecklenburg officials said Thursday that CVS can accommodate coronavirus testing needs for residents who recently participated in protests tied to police reform and racial justice following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The county’s statement came as some asymptomatic protesters were told by local healthcare providers they did not meet the criteria for testing.

Here are the CVS drive-thru testing sites in Charlotte:

• 5700 Albemarle Road
• 1235 Pecan Ave.
• 306 East Woodlawn Road
• 4391 Central Ave.
• 2325 Village Lake Drive
• 16035 Johnston Road
• 9628 Rea Road
• 115 West Arrowood Road
• 11430 North Tryon St.
• 4098 Houston Field Court
• 10730 Providence Road
• 9915 Park Cedar Drive
• 9805 Rocky River Road
• 8420 Steele Creek Road

Mecklenburg COVID-19 update

As of June 10 — the last date demographic data was publicly available — county coronavirus data show:

▪ An average of about 101 people with lab-confirmed coronavirus infections were hospitalized at acute-care facilities in the past week. Those numbers reflect an increase over the past two weeks, according to Mecklenburg health officials.

▪ An average of 10% of people tested were positive, showing an increase over the last 14 days, health officials say. The figure includes only COVID-19 tests conducted by Atrium Health and Novant Health.

▪ About 3 in 4 people diagnosed with COVID-19 locally were adults ages 20 to 59 years old.

▪ More than half of Mecklenburg have met the criteria to be released from isolation.

▪ About 1 in 10 people diagnosed were hospitalized due to their illness. People age 60 or older were more likely to need hospital care compared to younger people with coronavirus.

▪ There were nine deaths among adults ages 40 50 59. All deaths, except two among county residents, involved people with underlying chronic illnesses.

▪ The exact number of people in Charlotte and Mecklenburg with COVID-19 is unknown and many people with the virus have not been tested, health officials say. The case total likely represents a “fraction” of all people with coronavirus, Mecklenburg officials have said.

This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 1:03 PM.