March 3. COVID-related hospitalizations have fallen by more than half in the past two weeks, dropping to 1,401 in today’s NC Dept. of Health & Human Services report on the coronavirus.

The NCDHHS also reported reported 2,377 new cases and 54 new deaths statewide.

Testing

The statewide positivity rate fell to 4.9 percent today—the first time it has been under 5 percent this year—while the Mecklenburg 14-day trailing average fell to 7.7 percent.

Mecklenburg (change from Wednesday)

There were 148 new COVID cases reported countywide and three new deaths.

North Mecklenburg (change from Wednesday)

• Cornelius: 2 new cases, 6,696 cumulative total, 35 deaths cumulative total.

• Davidson: 2 new cases, 4,045 cumulative total, 21 deaths cumulative total.

• Huntersville: 7 new cases, 15,161 cumulative total, 89 deaths cumulative total.