COVID at new highs in Mecklenburg + Unpacking the Panthers season

Happy Monday, everyone. This is Kristen. Heads up: Round two of our coffee bracket is here. You helped us narrow it down to 15 spots, and now it’s time for you to let us know which Charlotte-area coffee shop is your favorite. Vote for the one you think should make it to the next round!

Let’s dive into today’s headlines:

1. COVID infections rocket to new highs in Mecklenburg amid holidays, testing shortages

COVID’s spread in Mecklenburg County surpassed records for infections and positive tests set last January.

By the numbers:

• The latest record high of new daily cases in Mecklenburg — 3,494 cases on Dec. 28 — is more than double the previous record of 1,461 cases on Jan. 4 of last year, according to state Department of Health and Human Services data.
• On average, 1/3 of Mecklenburg residents who tested for COVID in the first week of January were positive, according to Mecklenburg data.
• That’s the highest average for the county’s weekly positivity rate ever.

Along with the spike in infections, we’re seeing extremely high demand for coronavirus tests across the country as omicron continues its spread, as reported by the Observer’s Hannah Smoot.

In other COVID news:

• Have Charlotte workers opted to go back to the office amid omicron’s spread? Here’s what you told us in a survey, as brought to you by the Observer’s Hannah Lang.

• With a high number of employees not working due to COVID quarantines, and a high number of positive cases, CMS officials say the latest surge, caused by omicron, has disrupted classrooms and strained staff. Learn more with the Observer’s Anna Maria Della Costa.

2. Panthers end of season analysis

Cam Newton’s last game with the Panthers shows, once again, that the NFL isn’t fair by Scott Fowler

• “Newton is about to leave the Panthers for good, as a backup, on the road. His uniform will likely be clean, his dignity intact, his future uncertain.”

Cam Newton deserved a better ending than what the Carolina Panthers gave him by Scott Fowler

• Newton played one play in the first quarter against Tampa Bay, and that was it.

• Newton deserved a better ending than that, Fowler says — the Panthers let Sam Darnold stay in for the game’s most critical play, and that play should have been Newton’s.

What Carolina Panthers said in their exit interviews by Ellis L. Williams

• Here’s how some players saw this season.

What Matt Rhule said about his job security with Panthers, not playing Cam Newton more by Jonathan M. Alexander

• Carolina is 10-23 in two seasons under Rhule.

3. Want to try the Mediterranean diet in 2022?

The Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle inspired by the diet of people from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It prioritizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats while cutting out processed foods, added sugar and red meat.

Do:

• Eat healthy carbs and protein.
• Have about one glass of red wine per day.

Don’t:

• Eat red meat or processed foods.

Interested? CharlotteFive’s Maddie Ellis has rounded up some Queen City spots where you can eat things in accordance with the Mediterranean diet. New year, new you, right?

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This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 3:51 PM.