Another Record Day For New COVID-19 Cases In North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, NC — Friday marked the second record-breaking day in a row for COVID-19 cases in North Carolina. The tally of known coronavirus cases rose to 241,623 Friday, an increase of 2,684 cases. The spike marks the highest one-day increase in lab-confirmed cases in the state, according to state public health officials.

At least 36 deaths were reported overnight, as well, raising North Carolina's death toll to 3,910.

"As the numbers continue to move in the wrong direction on this key metric, it is more important than ever that all North Carolinians use the tools we have to slow the spread of the virus: wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth, waiting at least 6 feet from others and washing your hands often," the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement Friday.

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Hospitalizations have steadily increased throughout the state during the past week, according to DHHS. As of Oct. 16, there were 1,148 coronavirus patients hospitalized, eight more than reported Thursday and 227 more than were reported in state hospitals two weeks ago. As of Friday, the number of patients hospitalized was the second highest in the state to date, DHHS said.

In the Charlotte metro region, staffed ICU resources are growing thinner, according to the data. According to an Oct. 16 survey of all hospitals in the 13 counties comprising the greater Charlotte metro, 69 — or about 16 percent — of the region's 427 staffed ICU beds remained empty. Of the 358 staffed ICU beds that were in use, 62 were listed as adult ICU COVID-19 patients.

Across the board, the state is seeing increases in COVID-like syndromic cases, new cases, hospitalizations and the percent of tests that are positive.

"We are moving in the wrong direction," DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said during a news conference Thursday.

The recent increase in patients with going to emergency rooms with COVID-like illness is an early indicator of community spread across the state, Cohen said. And while the state saw an increase in August when schools and colleges reopened, this new spike in cases isn't tied to a place, age group or specific activity. Increases in hospitalizations are also leading to strains at some smaller hospitals around the state.

Cohen called the increase "concerning" with the onset of flu season. Changes in weather, along with lower temperatures and humidity is giving the virus more opportunities to spread, she added.

"Look, this isn't where we want to be and frankly, it's frustrating," Cohen said.

As of Friday, there were 21 COVID-19 clusters reported in North Carolina schools and eight active clusters at child care centers. DHHS defines a cluster as five or more lab-confirmed cases that are linked. At least 257 positive COVID-19 cases were associated with school clusters in K-12 schools and at least 395 positive cases and three deaths associated with child care centers.

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