Sept. 24. The COVID positivity rate statewide has dropped below 10 percent for the first time in nearly two months. NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported an 8.6 percent positive rate, down from 11 percent much of the past week and as high as 15.8 percent on Sept. 8. The last time the positivity rate was under 10 percent was late July.

The goal is 5 percent. Before the Delta variant wave began to hit this spring, the positive test rate had fallen below 2 percent in mid-June.

New cases

Meanwhile, the NCDHHS today reported 5,805 new cases of the coronavirus, down from 5,953 new cases yesterday.

Deaths 

There were 96 new deaths statewide due to COVID-19, including two new deaths in Huntersville. The state does not disclose where the deaths occur beyond Zip Code. The most recent congregate living report was issued Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Hospitalizations

Hospitalizations rose to 3,359 statewide, up from 3,231 statewide in Thursday’s NCDHHS report.

Testing

Mecklenburg County’s 14-day percent positive is 10.5 percent. In Rowan County, where the County Fair begins today, the 14-day positive is 14.7 percent. (Masks are not required at the fair.)

Mecklenburg

In Mecklenburg County, there were 422 new cases in today’s report, down from 512 yesterday.

There were seven new COVID deaths reported countywide, including the two new deaths in Huntersville.

North Mecklenburg (change from Thursday)

Cornelius: 17 new cases, 3,790 cumulative total, 28 deaths cumulative total.

Davidson: 7 new cases, 2,193 cumulative total, 16 deaths cumulative total.

Huntersville: 14 new cases, 8,240 cumulative total, 66 deaths cumulative total.