Jan. 24. COVID-related hospitalizations statewide rose more slowly over the weekend, reaching 4,896 in today’s coronavirus update from the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services. On Friday, there were 4,867 North Carolinians hospitalized.

Deaths

There were 96 new COVID deaths reported by the NCDHHS today statewide, including one new death in Huntersville

New cases

There were 18,452 new cases in today’s report, down from an average of more than 22,000 a day last week.

Positivity rate

The statewide positivity rate rose to 37.8 percent, from 34.3 percent on Friday.

—In Mecklenburg, the positivity rate slipped to 32.1 percent in today’s report, the fifth reporting day in a row the 14-day average has eased slightly. It was 35.8 percent on Jan. 14.

Data for Mecklenburg and North Mecklenburg will resume Tuesday.