2,102 vs. 1,734, a 21.2% increase in the median number of new cases week vs. 24 days

Oct. 21. UPDATED 2:30 pm. By Dave Yochum. The volume of new COVID-19 cases statewide over the past week is running 21.2 percent ahead of the volume over the past 24 days. The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services today reported 1,842 new cases, up from 1,578 new cases that were reported on Tuesday.

The median number of new cases in the past week vs. the past 24 days is 2,102 compared to 1,734. (On Sept. 25, the NCDHHS changed its COVID-19 new case reporting methodology. Cornelius Today has opted to calculate the rate of change from Sept. 26 to now.)

NEW: NC will remain paused in Phase 3 for three more weeks as health officials continue to monitor coronavirus trends. North Carolina has seen increased hospitalizations and trajectory of cases in recent weeks. Gov. Roy Cooper underscored the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and using good judgment despite fatigue or frustration with the pandemic.

While today’s new case volume is an increase from yesterday’s, it’s down from last week when new case volumes exceeded 2,500 per day.

Tests are coming back positive at the rate of 7.4 percent statewide. The goal is less than 5 percent.

Deaths

There were 40 new deaths statewide due to COVID-19. A total of 4,032 North Carolinians have died because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deaths are a lagging indicator of the spread the coronavirus, based on the length the illness and reporting procedures.

Hospitalizations

Hospitalizations rose by 16 patients to 1,219 statewide, according to today’s NCDHHS report.

Mecklenburg

Mecklenburg County’s positive tests are coming back at the rate of 5.3 percent. The positivity rate was 4.4 percent one week ago.

There were 226 new cases reported in Mecklenburg, up from 218 new cases yesterday.

There was no new deaths in Mecklenburg in today’s report. A total of 376 residents have died since the outbreak began.

North Mecklenburg

Cornelius: 1 new case, 638 cumulative total; 16 deaths total.

Davidson: 2 new cases, 337 cumulative cases total; 6 deaths total.

Huntersville: 9 new cases, 1,179 cumulative case total; 14 deaths total.