COVID patient: Photo from Atrium Health

Oct. 18. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations under 2,000 for the first time since Aug. 9.

Today’s report lists 1,852 North Carolinians hospitalized, down more than 50 percent from the Delta variant peak of 3,800 set Sept. 3. Back in late June/early July there were fewer than 500 North Carolinians hospitalized with the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control has issued holiday travel guidelines. To review them prior to making your plans, click here. The CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated.

The NCDHHS reported 1,599 new cases today, the lowest volume of new cases since late July.

Deaths

The NCDHHS reported 80 new COVID-related deaths statewide, including eight in Mecklenburg County. One of the new deaths was in Cornelius, which has had a total of 29 COVID deaths since the outbreak began in 2020.

Testing

The statewide positivity rate rose slightly to 6.4 percent

Mecklenburg

In Mecklenburg County, there were 581 new cases between Friday’s report and today’s. The county-wide positive test rate is at 6.9 percent.

North Mecklenburg (change from Friday)

•Cornelius: 13 new cases, 3,959 cumulative total, 29 deaths cumulative total.

•Davidson: 15 new cases, 2,306 cumulative total, 17 deaths cumulative total.

•Huntersville: 22 new cases, 8,657 cumulative total, 73 deaths cumulative total.