Oct. 29. COVID-19 hospitalizations have fallen an eighth straight day to 1,335 statewide, according to today’s NC Dept. of Health & Human Services coronavirus update.

The volume of new cases in today’s report eased to 2,366 from 2,493 new cases yesterday. Today’s volume is more in line with the early days of the Delta spike, but well ahead of the low volumes recorded in May, June and early July.

Deaths

The NCDHHS also reported 73 new COVID-related deaths statewide.

Testing

The statewide positivity rate fell slightly to 4.4 percent, below the goal of 5 percent or less for the second day in a row.

Mecklenburg

In Mecklenburg County, there were 221 new cases overnight and five new deaths, according to NCDHHS.

North Mecklenburg (change from Thursday)

• Cornelius: 9 new cases, 4,020 cumulative total, 31 deaths cumulative total.

• Davidson: 4 new cases, 2,330 cumulative total, 19 deaths cumulative total.

• Huntersville: 7 new cases, 8,754 cumulative total, 74 deaths cumulative total.