Dec. 7. By Dave Yochum. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 4,372 new cases of COVID-19, down from two record-breaking days where the new case count surged past 5,000 and then 6,000.

During the first 5 days of December, the nation added more than 1 million new COVID-19 cases. Johns Hopkins University is also reporting a total of 282,522 US deaths since the outbreak began.

Regardless, the NCDHHS is reporting record numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations: 2,240 today, up from 2,191 yesterday and 1,196 only a week ago. Deaths due to the coronavirus rose by 17 statewide, to 5,560.

NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen expected a wave of new cases 10-plus days after Thanksgiving.

Vaccine update

Atrium Health and Novant Health say they anticipate the initial doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered before Christmas.

Testing

Positive tests are coming back at the rate o 10.5 percent statewide with more than 5.63 million tests completed.

In Mecklenburg County, positive tests climbed to 9.2 percent, the highest so far. The goal is 5 percent and lower.

Total cases

Statewide, the cumulative total of COVID-19 cases now stands at 399,362.

Deaths

There were no new COVID-related deaths reported Sunday or Monday in Mecklenburg County.

Mecklenburg

In Mecklenburg County, there were 564 new cases of COVID-19 in Monday’s NCDHHS report, down from a record 784 on Sunday.

The cumulative total since March stands at 47,547 county-wide. In Huntersville there were 115 new cases from Friday’s report to today’s

North Mecklenburg

Cornelius: 11 new cases, 1,067 cumulative; 17 deaths total.

Davidson: 8 new cases, 603 cumulative; 7 deaths total.

Huntersville: 39 new cases, 2,069 cumulative; 17 deaths total.