We used data from Johns Hopkins University to create a logarithmic chart to compare the changes in new daily COVID-19 cases nationwide vs NC. (NC numbers are also counted in the US new cases.) In addition to the daily numbers in NC, we ran a 7-day moving average through NC daily cases. Since May 1, NC average cases per day are approximately 525 with a median of 501. Three anomalies show 31 new cases on May 19, 1,023 on May 20, and 1,598 on May 22. These outliers, which most likely reflect data-reporting practices rather than actual cases, skew the state average, thus, the NC median of 501 is probably more reflective of the state’s new daily cases.
May 28. By Dave Yochum. The number of new COVID-19 cases increased to 784 statewide, according to new data released by NC Department of Health and Human Services this morning. The NCDHHS says there have been 25,412 cases statewide at this point, up 3.18 percent from yesterday and up 3,718 from one week ago.
NCDHHS is reporting 3,605 coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg since mid-March, or 127 new cases since yesterday.
New data from the NCDHHS shows a dramatic increases in COVID-19 testing in the past seven days as well. On Thursday May 21, there had been 290,645 tests conducted in North Carolina. Today’s report show 375,192 tests, so an increase in positive cases is to be expected.
Phase Two reopening began a week ago tomorrow. Meanwhile, despite reopening, the North Carolina economy is still being battered by enormous increases in unemployment claims: 1,167.85 percent more than May of last year, according to WalletHub. There were 43,221 unemployment claims the week of May 18, 2020 vs, 3,409 the week of May 20, 2019. It’s the ninth highest increase in the US.
Death toll
Deaths attributed to COVID-19 are also increasing, regardless of testing. North Carolina has seen a total of 827 deaths caused by the coronavirus, according to NCDHHS, up 33 from Wednesday’s report.
On Thursday a week ago, the death tally was 716 statewide as per the NCDHHS. (To view NCDHHS data directly, click here.)
US Rep. Alma Adams
One week ago, the NCDHHS said 578 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19. As of 10:30 am today, there were 708 people hospitalized.
A time to grieve
The milestone 100,000 deaths nationwide has given almost everyone pause.
“Like many of you, I have watched friends and loved ones pass away during this crisis,” said US Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12). “What has made our grief worse is the inability to share it with others in person and to worship and hold one another up together as a community.”
She said it was important to take time to grieve and to comfort those who have lost those who have held their families and communities together.
More than half of local deaths were connected to nursing homes or long-term care facilities, health department officials have said.
We also compared North Carolina to New York and New Jersey by number of new cases per day. (Data provided by Johns Hopkins University.)
We also compared North Carolina to South Carolina and Georgia by number of new cases per day, based on Johns Hopkins data:
