The number of people hospitalized in North Carolina due to COVID-19 rose to another new high on Wednesday. State health officials reporting 1,142 people hospitalized, up 33 from the previous day. One month ago just under 800 people were hospitalized, and going back 60 days to mid-May, the number was 492.
Even with the record high number of hospitalizations, there is still capacity in reporting North Carolina hospitals. There are currently 24% of inpatient hospital beds available and 19% of intensive care unit beds available. 28% of ventilators are currently in use, with 72% available.
Another 1,782 coronavirus cases were reported, increasing the total to 91,266. There were 16 additional deaths, with 1,568 overall. The positive test rate did decline in Tuesday’s tests to 8%, down from 10% the previous day. Health officials want to see that number at 5% or lower.
Mecklenburg County has had 15,950 COVID-19 cases and 164 deaths, Gaston County 2,003 cases and 17 deaths, Union County 1,942 cases and 30 deaths, Cabarrus County 1,754 cases and 33 deaths, Rowan County 1,578 cases and 43 deaths, Iredell County 1,195 cases and 10 deaths and Cleveland County has reported 558 cases and 9 deaths.
South Carolina is reporting more new cases and current hospitalizations than North Carolina. South Carolina health officials say there were 1,850 new cases for a total of 62,071. The number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations in South Carolina increased by 10 Wednesday to 1,560.