Oct. 23. UPDATED 7PM. The volume of new daily COVID-19 cases statewide over the past week is now running 17.7 percent ahead of the daily volume over the past 26 days, down from more than 20 percent in recent days.

The median number of new cases in the past week vs. the past 26 days is 2,102 compared to 1,786. (On Sept. 25, the NCDHHS changed its COVID-19 new case reporting methodology. Cornelius Today has opted to calculate the rate of change from Sept. 26 to now.)

The difference in our Oct. 21 report was 21 percent.

NC remains paused in Phase 3 for three more weeks as health officials continue to monitor coronavirus trends. North Carolina has seen increased hospitalizations and trajectory of cases in recent weeks. Gov. Roy Cooper underscored the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and using good judgment despite fatigue or frustration with the pandemic.

Friday data

NEW: Today’s NCDHHS daily report, due at noon, came out at 6 pm. There were 2,716 new cases and the positive test rate jumped to 7.3 percent statewide.