Dec. 28. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continue to increase, with the statewide total rising by 69 to 3,192 in today’s NC Dept. of Health and Human Services report. It’s a record high.
The NCDHHS reported 3,888 new cases statewide, reflective of a week’s worth of smaller increases. On Dec. 18 there were 8,444 new cases.
The statewide positive test rate rose to 14.7 percent in today’s report, possibly a one-day anomaly. It ranged between 10.5 percent and 11 percent during the week before Christmas.
Deaths
North Carolina has had a total of 6,561 deaths due to the coronavirus, with 12 of them occurring between yesterday’s report and today’s. From the Wednesday before Christmas to today, there were 201 deaths statewide.
In Mecklenburg County, there have been 543 deaths due to the coronavirus, up three from yesterday and up 29 from the Wednesday before Christmas.
The NCDHHS did not report COVID-19 numbers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Testing
The Mecklenburg County positivity rate was 10.7 percent in today’s report.
Total cases
Statewide, the cumulative total of COVID-19 cases now stands at 520,716. For Mecklenburg County, the total stands at 60,618, up 474 from yesterday.
North Mecklenburg
Cornelius: 20 new cases, 1,529 cumulative; 17 deaths total.
Davidson: 13 new cases, 794 cumulative; 8 deaths total.
Huntersville: 35 new cases, 3,059 cumulative; 21 deaths total.
Possible reinfections
Dr. Katie Passaretti, medical director of infection prevention at Atrium, said the hospital is starting to see reinfections which means immunity can wane.
Dr. Katie Passaretti
This guidance still applies:
Wear a mask in public places
Stay at least six feet away from others
Wash your hands
Avoid crowds and confined spaces
