Meck adds 271 coronavirus cases. June average percent of positive tests shows increase 

State health officials reported 271 new coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg County on Monday.

The number of new cases identified Monday is higher than the average number of new cases reported daily in the month of June so far. North Carolina Health and Human Services data for Mecklenburg show an average daily increase of 228 cases between June 1 and June 29. For the month of May, the average number of new cases was 84.6, according to an Observer analysis of state health data.

Throughout May and June, officials have focused public health efforts on increasing the number of tests administered. As testing has ramped up, the number of new cases reported has increased, as has the percentage of positive tests.

In May, the average percent of people tested who were positive was about 7.4%, according to an Observer analysis of county health data. This month’s data is not yet complete but the most recent figures, from June 1 to June 24, show the percent of positive tests has averaged 10.4%.

Since mid-March, a total of 10,863 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Mecklenburg, according to state health data. County health officials say they believe the total number of people infected locally, though, could be up to 10 times higher.

Health officials say 149 people with COVID-19 have died locally, as of late Sunday. More than half of those were people connected to nursing homes or long-term care facilities, according to the health department. Sixteen people between the ages of 40 and 59 have died in the county. Health officials say in all but two cases of fatalities, the person had underlying chronic health conditions which led to COVID-19 complications.

Statewide, DHHS reported 1,342 new cases Monday, for a total of 63,484, and three more deaths, for a total of 1,325. Testing has increased in North Carolina, and the percentage of positive tests as of Monday was 9%. DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen has said she would like that number to be at 5%.

Mecklenburg COVID-19 update

As of June 24 — the last date demographic data was publicly available — county coronavirus data show:

▪ During the past week, an average of 134 individuals with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infections were hospitalized at acute care facilities in Mecklenburg County. This represents an increase over the last 14 days.

▪An average of 10.3% of individuals who were tested were positive for COVID-19 during the past week. This represents a slight decrease over the last 14 days. These data only include tests conducted by Atrium Health and Novant Health.

▪ Most people — about three in four — diagnosed locally with COVID-19 were adults ages 20 to 59 years old.

▪ After symptoms of coronavirus subside, a person diagnosed may be “released” from isolation under CDC guidelines. In Mecklenburg, more than half of the people who tested positive have met the criteria to end isolation, according to local health officials.

▪ About 1 in 15 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.