Using John Hopkins data, Cornelius Today compiled new confirmed COVID-19 cases from July 31 through Aug. 30 statewide. The median number of new cases since July 28 is 1,346, essentially the same as the past 7 day median of 1,345.
Aug. 31. By Dave Yochum. Based on John Hopkins’ COVID-19 data, the median number of daily new confirmed cases over the past week is running even with the median number of daily new cases during the past month. Last week the seven-day median of daily COVID data was running 5 percent or more ahead of the monthly median, suggesting the pandemic was on the upswing in North Carolina.
The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 1,186 new cases of COVID-19 statewide, up from 1,051 new cases yesterday. Saturday’s 2,000-plus increase was an anomaly based on a delay in test results reported to the NCDHHS.
Today’s total of 1,186 new cases is 11.9 percent lower than the median of the last month, 1,346, according to Johns Hopkins.
Hospitalizations
Hospitalization due to COVID-19 increased to 923, up from 917 on Sunday but down from 1,229 on July 31.
US COVID-19 hospitalization rates among all ages first peaked during the week ended April 18 followed by a second peak during the week ended July 18, according to the CDC. North Carolina COVID-19 hospitalizations peaked later in July, at more than 1,200. Hospitalizations, of course, lag the data around new cases. Deaths are the ultimate lagging indicator around COVID-19.
Deaths
The NCDHHS says statewide deaths climbed by 10 in today’s report, compared to nine yesterday and 31 on Saturday. Based on death certificate data, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia, influenza, or COVID-19 is 7.9 percent, lower than the 12.3 percent reported last week. Because deaths are a lagging indicator of the spread of COVID-19, the percentage will likely increase as more death certificates are processed, according to the CDC.
NC testing
Statewide testing is over 2.256 million, with positive tests coming back at the rate of 7.2 percent, down from 8.6 percent Aug. 29. A positive test rate trending downward from 5 percent is the goal from a statewide perspective.
Mecklenburg County
Over the past seven days, Mecklenburg averaged 9.7 percent of the state’s new confirmed cases per day. When Mecklenburg was the epicenter of the pandemic in North Carolina, it was accounting for well over 10 percent of the state’s new cases.
In Mecklenburg, positive tests are coming back at the rate of 6.4 percent, according to NCDHHS.
The median number of daily new cases over the past week is 13.8 percent below the median number of new cases per day during the past month, or 137 vs. 159.
(See chart below.)
NCDHHS today reported 147 new cases in Mecklenburg for a total of 25,345 since the outbreak began.
North Meck
Cornelius: 5 new cases, total 438 (350 on Aug. 2). 16 deaths total, none new in more than a month
Davidson: 1 new case, total 249 (193 on Aug. 2). 5 deaths total, none new this month
Huntersville: 6 new cases, 813 total (582 on Aug. 2). 11 deaths total, 1 new Aug. 26
Over the past 7 days, Mecklenburg accounted for 9.7 percent of the state’s new confirmed cases per day.
