NC Reports Highest Number Of COVID-19 Cases Yet

CHARLOTTE, NC — North Carolina public health officials reported 2,532 newly confirmed coronavirus cases in the state Thursday, marking the highest day-over-day increase seen yet in the state since the pandemic began in March.

The lab-confirmed cases increased the state's tally to 238,939 cases, according to data released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Deaths also ticked up, as well. As of Oct. 15, the state's coronavirus death toll was 3,874, at least 18 more than reported Wednesday.

"Our numbers are higher than we want them to be right now," Gov. Roy Cooper said during a news conference Thursday. "There’s not one geographical area or industry to blame. I know we’re all tired of this," he said.

SEE ALSO: NC Voters Urged To Wear A Mask, Wash Hands Before, After Voting

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.

The recent increase in patients 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 will also create more opportunities for the virus to spread, she added.

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

Hospitalizations have steadily increased throughout the state in recent weeks, according to DHHS. As of Oct. 15, there were 1,140 coronavirus patients hospitalized, 219 more than were reported in state hospitals two weeks ago. Of those currently hospitalized, 296 were COVID-19 adult ICU patients.

In the Charlotte metro region, staffed ICU resources are growing thinner, according to the data. According to an Oct. 15 survey of all hospitals in the greater Charlotte metro, 46 — or about 11 percent — of the region's 427 staffed ICU beds remained empty. Of the 381 staffed ICU beds that were in use, 56 were listed as adult ICU COVID-19 patients. According to DHHS, the region also has 260 unreported or unstaffed beds.

Earlier this week, Charlotte's top public health official said that COVID-19 case spikes in outlying areas would have an impact on the city's hospitals. Lincoln and Cleveland counties, for example, reported a 200 percent increase in positive cases in the last 30 days, Gibbie Harris, director of Mecklenburg County Public Health, told county commissioners. In Gaston County, hospitalizations have tripled in the past month.

"We are hearing that hospitals in the western part of the state are overwhelmed, and they are diverting patients to the Charlotte area and the Winston-Salem area," Harris said.

Thursday, President Donald Trump made a campaign stop in Greenville, North Carolina, where he spoke before a crowd of hundreds of largely unmasked supporters standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

"My plan is crushing the virus," Trump told the crowd. "Look at our numbers." Trump pledged that 100 million doses of vaccines would become available by the end of the year.

"The vaccine will end the pandemic, but it's ending anyway," he said. "It's going to peter out and it will end but we will help the end. We will make it a lot faster with the vaccine and with the therapeutics, and frankly, the cures."

The comments stood in stark contrast to the current situation on the ground in North Carolina.

"We're reporting our highest day of cases since this pandemic has begun," Cohen said hours later, when asked to respond to Trump's comments. "It doesn't feel like petering out to me. But, we can get this under control if we work together."

SEE ALSO:

• 5 Positive COVID-19 Cases Traced Back To Charlotte Beer Festival
• Pennsylvania Adds North Carolina To State's Quarantine List