Mandy Cohen is Secretary of NC Dept. of Health & Human Services
April 24. By Dave Yochum. With Gov. Cooper extending the stay at home order until May 8, COVID-19 cases are still climbing. According to NC Dept. of Health & Human Services, there are now 8,052 cases statewide, up from 7,608 yesterday when Cooper laid out a three-phase plan to ease restrictions when data shows we are headed in the right direction.
The 5.8 percent increase in cases comes off an increase of 388 patients the day before.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of NC Department of Health and Human Services, said the stay at home order was extended because North Carolina has not yet seen a downward trajectory of “those metrics needed to begin gradually lifting restrictions.”
The Mecklenburg County Health Dept. today is reporting 1,400 cases county-wide, up from 1,331 as of Wednesday, April 22.
There have been 37 deaths county-wide so far, two more than yesterday. Review county data here.
Eight deaths have occurred among patients living in long-term care facilities.
The statewide death count is now 269, according to NCDHHS, up from 253 yesterday. Review NCDHHS data here.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation says North Carolina is three days past its peak in the number of deaths.
Enough ICU beds
The IHME says only 160 ICU beds are needed; there are 568 ICU beds available statewide.
Secretary Cohen, who said COVID-19 is now the leading cause of death in the United States, said the curve has flattened in North Carolina, thanks to safety measures, including the stay-at-home order.
GOV. ROY COOPER
Cooper announced his plan to open the state for business in three phases during a press conference in Raleigh yesterday.
“It’s important to get our economy moving forward. We are helping with unemployment insurance payments, stimulus money and many businesses that continue to be open. But I will not risk the health of our people or our hospitals, and easing restrictions now would do that,” Cooper said.
North Carolina needs more time to slow the spread of this virus before we can safely begin lifting restrictions, he said.
Meck COVID-19 demographics
—About 3 in 4 reported cases were adults ages 20 to 59 years old. Three reported cases were among children less than a year old.
—About 1 in 5 reported cases were hospitalized due to their COVID-19 infection. While everyone is at risk for severe COVID-19 complications, reported cases who were over 60 were four times more likely to be hospitalized compared to younger individuals.
—More than half of reported cases have met CDC criteria to be released from isolation.
—Thirty-five deaths due to COVID-19 occurred among reported cases.
—Almost all deaths were among older adults with underlying chronic illnesses.
—Almost all were hospitalized, more than half were male, and half were non-Hispanic Whites.
