Mecklenburg adds 7 COVID-19 deaths; officials finalizing late-night alcohol sales ban

Mecklenburg County officials reported five more COVID-19 deaths Thursday, followed by two new deaths Friday afternoon. In total, there have been 177 coronavirus-related deaths locally, with more than two-thirds linked to outbreaks at long-term care facilities.

The county’s total of coronavirus cases rose to 16,657 with the addition of 297 cases from the previous day, according to data from the state Department of Health and Human Services Friday. The number is cumulative since mid-March.

Three new congregate living facilities are experiencing outbreaks, the latest county data released Friday shows: Accordius-Midwood, Woodbridge Road Group Home and Harrisburg Road Group Home. A total of 32 facilities have active coronavirus outbreaks in Mecklenburg.

County officials said Friday they are finalizing a restriction on late-night alcohol sales for Charlotte and some of its surrounding towns, in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. It is unclear how soon the ban will take effect, though Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio said the proclamation requires state review, as well as signatures from elected leaders.

Statewide, DHHS reported 2,051 new cases Friday, for a total of 95,477, and 18 more deaths, for a total of 1,606.

Mecklenburg COVID-19 update

As of July 15 — the last date demographic data was publicly available — county coronavirus data show:

▪ During the past week, an average of 178 individuals with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infections were hospitalized at acute care facilities in Mecklenburg County. This was an increase over the previous 14 days.

▪An average 11.3% of individuals who were tested were positive for COVID-19 during the past week. Mecklenburg County Public Health says this represents a “stable trend.” The data only include tests conducted by Atrium Health, Novant Health and CVS Health.

▪ Most people — about three in four out of nearly 16,200 cases — 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, nearly half of the people who tested positive have met the criteria to end isolation, according to local health officials.

▪ About 1 in 20 people diagnosed were hospitalized due to their COVID-19 infection. People age 60 or older were more likely to need hospital care compared to younger people with coronavirus.

▪ The majority of people who have died from COVID-19 locally were connected to active outbreaks in long-term care facilities or nursing homes. Still, two of the 169 deaths recorded as of July 15 were people who had no known underlying conditions. Twenty-two of the people who died were between the ages of 40 to 59, and one person was under the age of 40.

This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 3:49 PM.