Latest COVID-19 update for Charlotte shows continued drop in new cases. 1 new death.

With North Carolina staying in the second phase of its reopening for at least five more weeks, the COVID-19 caseload continues to drop in the Charlotte area.

The state Department of Health and Human Services reported 187 new coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg on Thursday, bringing the county’s total since mid-March to 21,704.

The 14-day average of new cases fell to 236, continuing a two-week decline, according to an Observer analysis of state health data.

Mecklenburg county health officials reported one new death from the virus Wednesday afternoon, bringing the local death toll to 225.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that North Carolina will stay in the second phase of reopening until at least Sept. 11, meaning businesses including bars, gyms and entertainment venues must remain closed for at least five more weeks. Limitations on capacity will also remain in place for some other businesses, the News & Observer reported.

State DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen noted at a Wednesday press conference that four major metrics the state uses to measure the spread of the virus showed stabilization, but said the number of cases is still too high.

“While we are seeing stabilization of our numbers, that doesn’t mean we can let up,” Cooper said at the press conference. “You only have to look at hospitals in other states that have been overwhelmed when reopening occurred too fast.”

Statewide, DHHS reported 1,979 new cases Thursday, for a total of 131,267, and 42 more deaths, for a total of 2,092.

Mecklenburg COVID-19 update

As of August 2 — the last date demographic data was publicly available — county coronavirus data show:

▪ During the past week, an average of 183 individuals with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infections were hospitalizedin Mecklenburg County. Health officials say this trend represents a slight decrease over the past two weeks.

▪An average of 8.9% of individuals who were tested were positive for COVID-19 during the past week. Mecklenburg County Public Health says this represents a slight decrease over the last 14 days. These data only include tests conducted by Atrium Health, Novant Health, Walgreens and CVS Health. Those providers conduct the majority of tests locally.

▪ Most people — about 60% of more than 20,000 cases — were adults under the age of 40. People older than 60 account for less than 12% of all cases reported but about 85% of all deaths.

▪ After symptoms of coronavirus subside, a person diagnosed may be “released” from isolation under CDC guidelines. In Mecklenburg, roughly 75% people who tested positive have met the criteria to end isolation, according to local health officials.

▪ About one in 20 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.

▪ About half of those people who have died from COVID-19 locally were connected to “active outbreaks” in long-term care facilities or nursing homes. Still, three of the 217 deaths recorded as of August 2 were among people who had no known underlying conditions. Twenty-nine of the people who died were between the ages of 40 to 59, and three people were under the age of 40.