Data show 2nd-highest daily increase in Mecklenburg COVID-19 cases, 1 new death reported

State health data Wednesday showed the second-highest daily increase in new coronavirus cases since March in Mecklenburg County.

Department of Health and Human Services officials reported 364 new COVID-19 cases in the county Wednesday. Previously the highest single-day increase in Mecklenburg was June 12, with 383 reported.

Similarly, North Carolina reported its largest daily increase in cases Wednesday, with 1,843 new cases.

Mecklenburg’s total number of cases since mid-March is 11,534, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. Statewide, DHHS reported 66,513 COVID cases, and 30 new deaths were reported Wednesday, for a total of 1,373 deaths throuhg the state.

County health officials reported an additional death related to the coronavirus in Mecklenburg late Tuesday, bringing the county death toll to 150.

Nearly two out of three of the deaths were connected to active outbreaks at long-term care facilities, according to the latest demographic data from Mecklenburg Public Health.

Mecklenburg COVID-19 update

As of June 28 — the last date demographic data was publicly available — county coronavirus data show:

▪ During the past week, an average of 142 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 11.3% 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.