NC Gov. Roy Cooper
Aug. 6. By Dave Yochum. With “Safer at Home” extended another five weeks, the NC Department of Health and Human Services at noon today reported 1,979 new cases of COVID-19, up from 1,127 new cases the day Gov. Roy Cooper made the announcement.
The NCDHHS also reported 42 more deaths Thursday after the state surpassed the 2,000 milestone on Tuesday. The statewide COVID-19 death toll now stands at 2,042.
The governor announced he was extending Phase Two of North Carolina’s reopening plan at least to Sept. 11. It was set to expire tomorrow afternoon.
The good news is that the state’s median number of cases per day over the past week is at 1,708, 7.6 percent lower than the median of the preceding 30 days, based on data from Johns Hopkins University.
Using Johns Hopkins data, Cornelius Today compiled a chart of new confirmed COVID-19 from July 6 through Aug. 5 in NC. The state’s median number of cases since July 6 is 1,849. The state’s median over the past seven days is lower at 1,708.
Hospitalizations fall
The number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 also went down: From 1,167 yesterday, to 1,147 today, according to figures released by NCDHHS.
Daily reported hospitalizations have fallen from last week. On Aug. 5, the NCDHHS reported 333 COVID-19 patients in ICU statewide. One week ago, on July 30, the state reported 350 COVID-19 ICU patients statewide.
More than 1.9 million coronavirus tests have been completed. The most current positive test rate is 9 percent. It’s generally accepted that the rates of positivity in testing should remain at 5 percent or lower for 14 days.
Mecklenburg
In Mecklenburg County, there were 187 new cases from yesterday to today, along with one additional death for a total of 219 deaths. Sixty-seven percent of the deaths in the county are among those people over 75 years of age.
Over the past 7 days, Mecklenburg has averaged 15.1 percent of the state’s new confirmed cases per day
North Meck
NCDHHS reported two new cases of COVID-19 in Cornelius, for a total of 357. There have been no new deaths reported since the outbreak at Autumn Care, during which 16 people passed away.
In Davidson, there were three new cases, for a total of 201. Deaths stand at five.
In Huntersville, there where 10 new cases of the coronavirus, for a total of 609 since the outbreak began in March. Deaths stand at eight. There have been three new COVID-19 deaths since mid July.
Recoveries
Patients presumed to be recovered was in excess of 105,000 as of the Monday afternoon report from NCDHHS.
Personal Protective Equipment
Meanwhile, the state has distributed approximately 3.5 million cloth face coverings, 4.5 million procedure masks, and significant amounts of additional personal protective equipment to targeted settings across the state. The ongoing PPE shipments support operations including schools, nursing homes, first responders, agricultural facilities, child care facilities and courthouses.
“North Carolina has taken aggressive steps to get personal protective equipment in the hands of those who need it,” said Cooper. “Making sure students, teachers, nursing homes and more have what they need to stay safe is a top priority as we battle this pandemic.”
