covid-19
COVID update: NC, Meck positivity rates up again
Nov. 29. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 1,755 new cases of the coronavirus today, as positivity rates climbed again statewide and locally. There were 26 new COVID deaths statewide, including one in Cornelius. The NCDHHS at noon today reported the statewide positivity rate at 9.4 percent, up from 5 percent […]
Omicron is coming: Infectious disease expert recommends continued masking
Nov. 30. By Dave Yochum. Atrium infectious disease expert Dr. Christopher Ohl said during a news briefing that the latest COVID-19 variant took the scientific community by surprise. “Omicron pulled something over on us,” Ohl said. The omicron variant adds complexity to the coronavirus predictions for the upcoming winter months, Ohl said, but he predicted it […]
Dr. Cohen will step down as NCDHHS secretary
Nov. 30. NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. will be stepping down from the agency. Kody Kinsley, currently chief deputy secretary, will take her place beginning Jan. 1. Cohen has been a household word statewide since the pandemic began almost two years ago. “Mandy Cohen has shown extraordinary leadership […]
COVID update: NC positivity rate 8.3%; Mecklenburg 6.4%
Nov. 29. As the World Health Organization warns countries that the omicron coronavirus variant will likely spread globally, the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported fewer North Carolinians hospitalized due to the pandemic, but a higher positivity rate both statewide and in Mecklenburg County. The NCDHHS at noon today reported 1,077 people […]
COVID update Nov. 24: Meck positivity rate 6%
Nov. 24. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 2,318 new coronavirus cases, as well as 1,113 people hospitalized statewide with the coronavirus. Positive test rate The statewide positive test rate was reported at 5.9 percent; in Mecklenburg, 6 percent. Deaths The NCDHHS today also reported 34 new COVID-related deaths statewide. There […]
COVID update Nov. 23: Meck positivity rate 6.1%
Nov. 23. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported fewer new coronavirus cases, but an increase in the number of those hospitalized as well as positivity rates statewide and in Mecklenburg County. There were 1,289 new COVID cases in today’s NCDHHS report, down from 1,383 new cases yesterday and 2,401 reported Friday. […]
Video: Novant’s epidemiologist on masking, COVID trends pre-Thanksgiving
Nov. 23. COVID trends are up, more like August when the Delta variant was starting to wreak havoc with hospitals nationwide. But Dr. David Priest, chief epidemiology officer at Novant Health, says it’s fine to go maskless during Thanksgiving celebrations indoors if everyone is vaccinated. Over the last 14 days COVID hospitalizations are up 7 […]
COVID update Nov. 22
Nov. 22. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 1,383 new coronavirus cases—down from 2,000-plus new daily cases on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week. The statewide positive test rate climbed from 5 percent on Thursday and Friday last week to 6.3 percent in today’s NCDHHS report. The Mecklenburg County positive test […]
COVID update: Mecklenburg positivity rate 5.6% over past 14 days
Nov. 19. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 2,401 new cases of the coronavirus statewide. The statewide positive test rate stayed at 5 percent, while Mecklenburg County’s 14-day average rose a tenth of a percentage point to 5.6 percent positive. The volume of new cases statewide rose on Wednesday, Thursday and […]
COVID update Nov. 18: Statewide positivity rate falls, Mecklenburg holds at 5.5% average
Nov. 18. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 2,392 new cases of the coronavirus statewide. The statewide positive test rate fell back to 5 percent, from 6.1 percent, from 7.8 percent yesterday. Earlier this month, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners lowered the threshold for lifting the county’s mask mandate. Once […]
