42 coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday in North Carolina, the largest daily increase in deaths since the start of the pandemic, and a total of 1,552. After declining the previous two days, state health officials Tuesday reported that the number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations in North Carolina increased by 69 to 1,109, a new high.
An additional 1,956 cases raised the state’s overall total to 89,484. Approximately 34,000 COVID-19 tests were given on Monday, well above the state’s goal of 5,000 to 7,000 per day. However, the percentage of positive tests increased to 11%, with state officials wanting to see it at 5% or lower.
Mecklenburg County health officials Tuesday said there have been a total of 14,981 COVID-19 cases and 168 deaths among county residents. Approximately 75% of cases in Mecklenburg County have been among adults ages 20 to 59.
When it comes to coronavirus-related hospitalizations in Mecklenburg County, the trend has been fairly stable over the past two weeks. During the past week there was an average of 175 people hospitalized at acute care facilities in the county. Mecklenburg’s positive test rate over the past week was 11.5%, also a fairly stable trend over the past 14 days.
Almost all COVID-19 related deaths in Mecklenburg County have been among adults 60 and older, with 22 deaths among 40 to 59 year olds and 1 death in an adult between 20 and 39. All deaths except 2 were among adults with underlying chronic illnesses. More than half of the deaths in the county were connected to long-term care facility outbreaks.