Nov. 29. As the World Health Organization warns countries that the omicron coronavirus variant will likely spread globally, the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported fewer North Carolinians hospitalized due to the pandemic, but a higher positivity rate both statewide and in Mecklenburg County.

The NCDHHS at noon today reported 1,077 people hospitalized due to COVID, down from 1,113 people before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Positive test rate

The statewide positive test rate was reported at 8.3 percent, up from 5.9 percent on Nov. 24, which was down from 7.5 percent on Nov. 23.

In Mecklenburg, the 14-day positive average climbed to 6.4 percent, from 6 percent on Nov. 24 and in the fives the week before.

Deaths

The NCDHHS today also reported 38 new COVID-related deaths statewide between Nov. 24 and today. There were no COVID deaths reported in Mecklenburg between Nov. 24 and today.

North Mecklenburg (change from Wednesday Nov. 24)

• Cornelius: 29 new cases, 4,135 cumulative total, 31 deaths cumulative total.

• Davidson: 10 new cases, 2,413 cumulative total, 19 deaths cumulative total.

• Huntersville: 52 new cases, 9,104 cumulative total, 74 deaths cumulative total.

There have been no COVID deaths reported in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville since Oct. 29.