The number of reported COVID-19 cases increased by nearly 500, with state officials now reporting 24,628 cases in North Carolina. The number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations increased by 81 to 702. Nearly 12,000 tests were conducted on Tuesday. 8% of those tests were positive, the same percentage as the previous day.
There have now been 794 COVID-19 related deaths in North Carolina, an increase of 28. 15 of those deaths were in nursing homes, which have had 3,041 cases and 421 deaths. One additional nursing home outbreak was reported, for a total of 84. 13 of those are in Mecklenburg County nursing homes, along with 6 outbreaks in residential care facilities in the county.
Mecklenburg County now has 80 COVID-19 related deaths, an increase of 13 from a week ago. There are 3,478 cases in the county, up 75. Rowan County has 613 cases and 25 deaths, Cabarrus County 448 cases and 21 deaths, Union County 407 cases and 17 deaths, Gaston County 250 cases and 7 deaths, Iredell County 236 cases and 5 deaths and Cleveland County reports 73 cases and 2 deaths. There are cases in all 100 North Carolina counties.
The state health department Wednesday announced a media campaign to reach historically marginalized populations about COVID-19. NCDHHS says they are partnering with key influencers who represent the communities hardest hit by coronavirus to deliver messages about precautions, testing and contact tracing. African Americans and LatinX/Hispanic communities make up a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in North Carolina.
“These disparate outcomes need to be called out – and addressed,” says Dr. Michelle Laws, Assistant Director for the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services and co-lead of the NCDHHS COVID-19 response team focused on historically marginalized populations. “In addition to the actions we are taking to reverse these trends, we need to be sure that our communities of color are getting the information they need to protect themselves and their loved ones. I am so appreciative to partner with these prominent and trusted leaders,”