Dec. 3. By Dave Yochum. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 5,637 new cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina, a record, as well as 44 new COVID-19 related deaths. The record number of 5,637 new COVID-19 cases—the source of hospitalizations and deaths—was a third higher than yesterday’s increase.

Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 climbed to 2,101, up from yesterdays’s record 2,039. This week marked the first time hospitalizations broke through the 2,000 mark, approaching double the peak in mid-July.

The statewide positivity rate, which hit 11.4 percent in yesterday’s report, fell to 10.1 percent in today’s, according to the NCDHHS.

Total cases

Statewide, the cumulative total of COVID-19 cases now stands at 377,231.

Testing

More than 5.4 million tests have been completed statewide. In Mecklenburg County, positive tests climbed to 7.8 percent. The goal statewide and locally is 5 percent or less.

Deaths

A total of 5,410 North Carolinians have died of COVID-19 related illness since the outbreak began in March.

There were two new COVID-related deaths between yesterday and today in Mecklenburg County.

Mecklenburg

In Mecklenburg County, there were 548 new cases of COVID-19 in today’s NCDHHS report, up from 445 new cases yesterday. Today’s increase was ahead of the 534 new cases reported on Nov. 22. NCDHHS said Huntersville logged 36 new cases, a record for Huntersville.

North Mecklenburg

Cornelius: 9 new cases, 989 cumulative; 17 deaths total.

Davidson: 10 new cases, 566 cumulative; 7 deaths total.

Huntersville: 36 new cases, 1,916 cumulative; 15 deaths total.