NC sets another one-day high in coronavirus hospitalizations with 871
North Carolina has 871 people hospitalized because of the coronavirus, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported Friday.
The total set another one-day high in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early March, and was an increase from the 857 people in hospitals reported Thursday.
The DHHS data shows 1,652 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the 24-hour reporting period after 18,635 tests were completed. The state reported a 9% rate in positive tests for the day.
DHHS reports 1,197 people have died from COVID-19. That’s an increase of 22 deaths since Thursday.
There now have been 49,840 reported cases of coronavirus and 712,313 tests done in the state, which has a population of about 10.5 million people.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, told state lawmakers Wednesday said she and Gov. Roy Cooper are keeping a close eye on the increase in hospitalizations. That’s one of the seven trends and benchmarks used as they evaluate when to ease stay-at-home restrictions.
Cohen said North Carolina hasn’t reached a crisis point, but the goal is to prevent the state’s healthcare system from being overwhelmed, The News & Observer reported.
“We have to do something to stem the growth rate,” Cohen said.
Though hospitals have enough capacity now, Cohen said “if we just react to hospitalizations, by the time we get close to maxing out hospitalizations, it could be too late.”
Cooper has said he will make an announcement next week about the next phase in easing restrictions. But in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus, Cooper said Thursday the state is considering a state-wide move to make face coverings mandatory in public places.
Starting Friday at 4 p.m., Raleigh residents will be required to wear a face covering that goes over the mouth and nose whenever they are “in contact with other people who are not household members in public or private spaces where it is not possible to maintain social distance or where recommended social distancing practices are not being followed.”
The Raleigh proclamation lists places such as grocery stores, businesses, parking lots, sidewalks and pharmacies.
Knightdale on Thursday joined Raleigh as Wake County towns with a face-covering requirement. They’re also required in Durham and Orange counties.
Garner and Wake Forest announced later Thursday they were strongly recommending face coverings in public.
In the order, law enforcement officers are “strongly encouraged to educate and encourage voluntary compliance.” Baldwin said in a press conference Wednesday that residents who don’t wear a mask won’t be fined or arrested. She sees this as an opportunity to “educate the public.”
Steve Wiseman contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 1:03 PM with the headline "NC sets another one-day high in coronavirus hospitalizations with 871."
