New NC coronavirus cases drop from recent high, but trend up for the week

Newly reported coronavirus cases in North Carolina were down again Monday from Saturday’s record high, but 7-day totals continued an upward trend.

The state Department of Health and Human Services reported 1,827 new lab confirmed cases Monday. On Saturday, the state reported a single-day high of 2,462 new cases, the News & Observer reported.

Overall, new cases are trending up. Total cases reported from July 7 to July 13 were more than 17% higher than the total reported over the previous seven days.

The state has reported 112 COVID-19 deaths since July 6, including seven reported Monday, for a total of 1,510.

Southern and western states have emerged as new hotspots for the coronavirus just as governments are preparing public school reopening plans in the pandemic. Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to announce a school reopening plan for North Carolina this week.

The percentage of positive tests, at 10% for Sunday, continues to be higher than state health officials want. Dr. Mandy Cohen, head of DHHS, has said she wants to see a positivity rate closer to 5%.

Since the state’s first confirmed coronavirus infection in March, 87,528 people have tested positive for the virus. The total is likely an undercount, because in the early weeks of the pandemic, testing was strictly rationed.

It’s easier to get a test now. Last week, the state issued a standing order for diagnostic testing so people no longer need a doctor’s referral to get one. But the high volume of tests and shortages of chemicals used to perform the tests means that some people are waiting seven days and longer for results.

DHHS reported that there are 1,040 people in hospitals who have tested positive for the coronavirus, with 80% of hospitals in the state reporting. Reported hospitalizations reached at high of 1,093 on Saturday.

The state reported Monday that 67,124 people are presumed recovered from COVID-19. The estimate is based on when people were tested and whether or not they were hospitalized.

Locally, Wake County reported 193 new cases Monday, for a total of 7,640. Durham reported 105 new cases, for a total of 4,604. Orange has 31 newly reported cases, for a total of 992. Mecklenburg had 295 new cases, bringing its total to 15,319.

This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 1:12 PM with the headline "New NC coronavirus cases drop from recent high, but trend up for the week."