Nov. 18. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 2,392 new cases of the coronavirus statewide. The statewide positive test rate fell back to 5 percent, from 6.1 percent, from 7.8 percent yesterday.

Earlier this month, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners lowered the threshold for lifting the county’s mask mandate. Once the COVID-19 positivity rate falls below 5 percent for seven consecutive days, the mask mandate will be lifted.

So far, at least, it’s not happening.

The Mecklenburg County positivity rate is still averaging 5.5 percent over the past 14 days, up from a 14-day average of 5.4 percent logged in Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Hospitalizations

Today’s NCDHHS report put statewide hospitalizations at 1,048, down one from yesterday.

Deaths

The NCDHHS today also reported 48 new COVID-related deaths statewide for a total of 18,562 since the pandemic began.

Mecklenburg

In Mecklenburg County, the NCDHHS reported 166 new cases between yesterday and today as well as one new death.

North Mecklenburg (change from Wednesday)

• Cornelius: 1 new case, 4,072 cumulative total, 31 deaths cumulative total.

• Davidson: 1 new case, 2,373 cumulative total, 19 deaths cumulative total.

• Huntersville: 20 new cases, 8,963 cumulative total, 74 deaths cumulative total.