Nov. 22. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 1,383 new coronavirus cases—down from 2,000-plus new daily cases on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week.

The statewide positive test rate climbed from 5 percent on Thursday and Friday last week to 6.3 percent in today’s NCDHHS report.

The Mecklenburg County positive test rate averaged 5.9 percent over the last 14 days, up from 5.5 percent on Thursday and 5.6 percent on Friday.

Earlier this month, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners lowered the threshold for lifting the county’s mask mandate. Once the COVID-19 positivity rate falls below 5 percent for seven consecutive days, the mask mandate will be lifted.

So far it’s not happening.

Hospitalizations

Today’s NCDHHS report put statewide hospitalizations at 1,055.

Deaths

The NCDHHS today also reported 33 new COVID-related deaths from Friday’s report.

Mecklenburg

In Mecklenburg County, the NCDHHS reported 540 new cases between Friday and today as well as two new deaths.

North Mecklenburg (change from Friday)

• Cornelius: 13 new caseS, 4,093 cumulative total, 31 deaths cumulative total.

• Davidson: 14 new caseS, 2,392 cumulative total, 19 deaths cumulative total.

• Huntersville: 38 new cases, 9,027 cumulative total, 74 deaths cumulative total.