North Carolina again sets records for COVID-19 tests and new cases
North Carolina once again broke new records Saturday for new COVID-19 cases and tests in one day.
There were an additional 2,481 COVID-19 cases and 23 new related deaths, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported Saturday.
At least 97,958 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 1,629 have died, NC DHHS reported.
The previous record of 2,462 new cases in one day was set last Saturday.
The number of completed COVID-19 tests increased by 35,169 Saturday to 1,379,143. The state had 34,360 tests Tuesday, the previous record.
The number of those in the state hospitalized for COVID-19 decreased by 26 on Saturday to 1,154, according to DHHS. On Friday hospitalizations peaked at 1,180.
The number of hospitals reporting and percentage of hospital beds available on Saturday wasn’t updated by DHHS as of 12:55 p.m.
About 9% of the tests were positive as of Friday, the latest date available, up from 7% the day before.
In general the percentage of positive tests in the state fluctuates between 7% and 10%.
Steps to reduce spread
The numbers come out at the end of a week in which various state, city and school officials are taking steps to reduce spread of the virus as hospitalizations and case numbers have continued to rise week to week.
Phase 2 of the state’s coronavirus reopening plan was once again scheduled to end last week, but Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that it would remain through at least Aug. 7.
At least a dozen school districts have decided to use remote instruction only when classes resume in August until the rate of growth in COVID-19 cases slows down in North Carolina, The News & Observer reported.
The list of districts going remote-only include Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Durham and Orange County. The Wake County school board will consider making the change at a meeting on Tuesday.
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin plans to cut off alcohol sales at 11 p.m. likely starting Monday, The News & Observer reported.
The Triangle and Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County and counties in the Triangle also continued to increases in the number of cases and deaths.
▪ Wake County cases increased by 239 to 8,593. Eighty-six people have died in Wake, up three since Friday.
▪ Durham County cases increased by 76 to 4,987. Seventy-one people have died, up one since Friday.
▪ Orange County’s cases increased by 33 to 1,083. Forty-five people have died.
This story was originally published July 18, 2020 at 1:30 PM with the headline "North Carolina again sets records for COVID-19 tests and new cases."
