March 8. The volume of new COVID cases remains below 1,000 a second day but today’s total is up from yesterday: 894 new cases statewide today vs. 528 yesterday.

Regardless, 894 new cases is still roughly 1/40th of the volume recorded at the omicron peak—35,395 new cases—on Jan. 21.

Hospitalizations

COVID-related hospitalizations also seemed to be finding a bottom, climbing slightly to 1,157 today, from 1,140 yesterday. Statewide hospitalizations had fallen consistently since Jan. 27.

Deaths

The NCDHHS also reported reported 15 new deaths statewide due to the coronavirus. The state revised the Mecklenburg death total, reducing it by one, for a total of 1,550.

Testing

The statewide positivity rate climbed to 5.3 percent today while the Mecklenburg 14-day trailing average fell to 5.4 percent.

Mecklenburg (change from Monday)

There were 267 new COVID cases reported countywide.

North Mecklenburg (change from Monday)

• Cornelius: 3 new cases, 6,710 cumulative total, 35 deaths cumulative total.

• Davidson: 0 new cases, 4,063 cumulative total, 21 deaths cumulative total.

• Huntersville: 1 new case, 15,179 cumulative total, 89 deaths cumulative total.