More Than 12,100 New COVID Cases Reported In NC Since Monday

NORTH CAROLINA — The number of COVID-19 cases rose by 4,331 new cases Thursday, the largest daily jump in new cases reported in the state since February, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported.

Since Monday, more than 12,100 newly confirmed cases have been reported in the state.

As of Thursday, at least one out of every four of the 1,651 patients hospitalized in the state for COVID illness were in an intensive care unit, leaving 19 percent of the state's staffed ICU beds available, according to DHHS data.

Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper laid the blame for the spike in cases at the feet of those eligible to get a COVID vaccine who haven't yet rolled up their sleeve.

"I can't stress this enough — the sharp rise in our numbers is driven by the unvaccinated," Cooper said Wednesday at a news conference.

"Yeah, you're making the decision not to be vaccinated but what you're doing is you're putting everybody else at risk because you've made this decision, and you're continuing to foster this virus in the community," he said.

SEE ALSO: Schools Should Urge Teachers, Students To Get Vaccinated: Cooper

Cooper is eyeing ground level vaccine mandates as a means to turn the tide. Last week, he announced that cabinet level state workers will be required to provide verification that they've been vaccinated, or face weekly testing and mandatory mask policy.

Some companies and local governments, such as Mecklenburg County, are following suit with their own vaccination verification policies.

"Agencies are already starting to collect information from their employees. As a state employee myself, I've provided my vaccination card to my department," he said Wednesday. "I've also strongly encouraged private businesses to do the same and many are stepping up. A number of businesses are requiring vaccines for their workers, and I applaud that."

SEE ALSO: NC To Require Vaccination Proof From State Workers: Gov. Cooper

He said he also hopes schools in the state will also follow the lead.

"As K-12 schools prepare for the new school year, I encourage school boards to ask their staff and eligible students get vaccinated as well," he said.

State public health officials are also partnering with two medical testing vendors to push COVID-19 testing to K-12 schools in North Carolina, DHHS said Thursday.

"School-based testing for COVID-19 can help protect students and staff from the spread of COVID-19 by helping to quickly detect the virus within our schools and reduce the risk of further transmission," DHHS said in a statement. "Participation in the school testing program is available to all schools, public and private."

Currently, there are 44 school districts, 47 charter schools and 48 independent schools participating in the school testing program, DHHS said.