March 23. By Dave Yochum. The median of new coronavirus cases over the past seven days (1,999) in North Carolina is running 1.7 percent below the median during the past 31 days (2,034), based on COVID-19 data supplied by Johns Hopkins University.

Even as the number of people vaccinated grows, COVID-19 cases are increasing in 21 states and highly infectious variants are spreading.

Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to loosen Phase 3 restrictions currently in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. The current stay-at-home order is set to expire on Friday. To watch the press conference today at 2 pm live, click here.

New cases

The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 1,062 new COVID-19 cases, down from 1,248 yesterday.

Deaths

There were 18 new COVID-19 related deaths statewide, one in Mecklenburg County.

Hospitalizations

Hospitalizations were at 956 today, up from 924 yesterday.

Testing

The statewide positive test rate rose to 6.3 percent in today’s report. Mecklenburg County came in at 4.8 percnet.

North Mecklenburg

Cornelius: 3 new cases, 2,620 cumulative; 24 deaths total.

Davidson: 2 new cases, 1,505 cumulative; 15 deaths total.

Huntersville: 8 new cases, 5,358 cumulative; 47 deaths total.