Johns Hopkins University tracks COVID-19 nationally and internationally

Oct. 1. By Dave Yochum. The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services is reporting an increase in the number of new cases of COVID-19 statewide: 2,277 in today’s report. The rate of positive tests, however, fell.

On Sept. 29, the NCDHHS experienced technical issues that prevented some data from being processed in the COVID reporting system. As a result, cases and test data were lower than they would have been had all the data been processed.

To review COVID-19 trends and data via Johns Hopkins (map) nationally and internationally, click here.

Yesterday’s increase was, 1495; on Monday and Tuesday the increases were both less than 900. Today’s larger total is likely the result of NCDHHS catching up with late September test data.

The number of new deaths, the ultimate lagging indicator in the pandemic, rose from 38 yesterday to 47 in today’s report.

Testing

New cases and positive tests lead to hospitalizations.

The positive test rate, which had been rising over the past week, fell to 5.7 percent in today’s report, down from 6.5 percent yesterday. It was 8.6 percent back in late August; the NCDHHS goal is 5 percent and trending down. (New York’s statewide positive tests are in the 1.2 percent range.) Some 3.06 million tests have been completed in North Carolina.

Hospitalizations

Hospitalizations fell to 939 statewide, down from 956 in Wednesday’s NCDHHS report and 950 in Tuesday’s report. In late July, there were days when more than 1,200 North Carolinians were hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Phase 3 begins 5 pm Friday

NC Gov. Roy Cooper yesterday announced that Phase 2.5 reopening ends at 5 pm Friday as Phase 3 begins. It means bars, movie theaters, indoor entertainment facilities and amusement parks can open with restrictions. Mask mandates are still in place.

Mecklenburg

The NCDHHS reported 137 new cases in Mecklenburg County today, up from 131 new cases in yesterday’s report, and 70 in Tuesday’s report. The cumulative total is now 29,132 county-wide.

The NCDHHS reported three new Mecklenburg COVID-19 deaths. The total now stands at 359.

Mecklenburg coronavirus tests are coming back positive at the rate of 4.3 percent, more on target with NCDHHS goals.

North Mecklenburg

Cornelius: 9 new cases, total 543. Total/cumulative deaths remain at 16.

Davidson: 3 new cases, total 305. Total/cumulative deaths remain at 6.

Huntersville: 12 new cases, total 996. Total/cumulative deaths remain at 13.