Dec. 28. The statewide COVID positivity rate jumped to 21.9 percent in today’s NC Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus report. It’s the highest rate in nearly a year, double what it was last week.

Hospital emergency rooms are being overwhelmed by people seeking coronavirus tests. Novant Health, just after the state data was released, said visiting ERs only to get tested heightens the risk of exposure to everyone, including those at high risk, as well as puts a “big strain on resources and timeliness of care for those who need it most.”

For a list of COVID testing centers, click here.

The NCDHHS reported 3,3698 new cases today, and 75 new COVID deaths from Dec. 22 to today. There was one new death in Huntersville.

There are 1,992 people hospitalized statewide with COVID.

In Mecklenburg, there were 5,668 new cases between Dec. 22 and today.

North Mecklenburg (change from Dec. 22)

Cornelius: 143 new cases

Davidson: 67 new cases

Huntersville: 315 new cases