North Carolina Coronavirus Cases Increase By More Than 1,000

Coronavirus
Photo credit (NIAID-RML via AP)

The number of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina increased 1,076, state health officials reported on Friday, for a total of 26,488. There were nearly 16,000 tests completed on Thursday, with a positive rate of 9%, up from 8% the previous day.

The number of people hospitalized in North Carolina due to coronavirus decreased by 28 to 680. An additional 32 deaths were reported for a total of 859. 20 of those deaths were in North Carolina nursing homes, which have had 3,181 cases and 456 deaths. An additional 3 ongoing outbreaks were reported in nursing homes for a total of 89. 15 of those outbreaks are at Mecklenburg County nursing homes. The county also has 6 outbreaks in residential care facilities.

Mecklenburg County saw an increase of 232 cases along with 3 additional deaths. The county has had 3,837 cases and 88 deaths. Wake County has the second-highest number of cases in the state, with 1,613. Durham County is reporting 1,441 cases, Guilford County 1,195, Forsyth County 1,179, Wayne County 1,088, Robeson County 728, Cumberland County 658, Randolph County 651 and Rowan County 629 cases.

When it comes to the age groups of those with COVID-19 in North Carolina, 44% are between 25 and 49, 23% ages 50 to 64, 18% 65 and older, 9% between 18 and 24 and 6% 17 years old and younger. 84% of coronavirus-related deaths in the state have been people 65 and older, 12% 50 to 64 and 4% between 25 and 49 years old.