Average daily volume of new cases statewide over the past 7 days is running 11.4 percent ahead of the past 31 days
Nov. 13. By Dave Yochum. The volume of new cases of the coronavirus in North Carolina continues to increase. Through yesterday, the average daily volume of new cases over the past seven days is running 11.4 percent ahead of the past 31 days based on data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
Today, the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services changed their hospitalization reporting criteria to line up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previously, the CDC required that hospitals report patients only when they were under isolation precautions, which is typically a maximum of 21 days. Because patients may suffer the effects of COVID-19 for a longer period of time, the CDC now requires that hospitalizations be reported for the entire length of stay.
North Carolina will see a one-time increase in hospitalizations as well as a continued higher number under the new definition. Today’s data also reflects a one-time artificial decrease in the number of tests, cases and deaths because the data cover 10 hours as opposed to the standard 24 hours.
Future data will cover the standard 24-hour period.
Today’s increase, under the new reporting criteria, was 1,779 new cases of the coronavirus. In North Carolina, the cumulative total of COVID-19 cases now stands at 305,233 since the outbreak began in March.
Colder weather and the upcoming holidays may contribute to a surge in new cases.
Johns Hopkins reported more than 153,000 new cases nationwide today.
Testing
The rate of positive tests increased to 8 percent statewide in today’s NCDHHS report. In Mecklenburg County, positive tests increased to 6.9 percent. The goal, according to NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, is to trend down from 5 percent.
Deaths
There were 14 new deaths statewide due to COVID-19, up from eight yesterday. A total of 4,720 North Carolinians have died due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Mecklenburg, there were two new deaths in today’s NCDHHS report for a total of 412.
Hospitalizations
Hospitalizations statewide were at 1,423, up from 1,279 yesterday, according to the NCDHHS.
North Mecklenburg
Cornelius: 6 new cases, 795 cumulative; 17 deaths total.
Davidson: 1 new case, 409 cumulative; 7 deaths total.
Huntersville: 15 new cases, 1,452 cumulative; 14 deaths total.
