27 New Coronavirus Deaths In North Carolina: Update

NORTH CAROLINA — The number of new coronavirus cases in North Carolina increased to 15,346 Tuesday, representing 301 new cases confirmed in the state since Monday, according to public health officials.

Novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, is also responsible for 27 new deaths in the state reported in the last 24 hours, increasing the state's total death count to 577.

As of Tuesday morning, there were 475 people hospitalized with coronavirus-related illness, 11 more than reported Monday.

State public health officials say increases in the number of confirmed cases are expected as testing ramps up throughout North Carolina. The state collected results from 6,379 tests on Tuesday, more than 2,600 tests processed when compared to the day before. The state's goal is to test between 5,000 and 7,000 people per day.

"We rank 15th in the nation in total tests completed," North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said Friday. "While I think we're on the right track, I am not at all satisfied with where we are. The governor and I want to see more testing across our state, particularly in our underserved communities."

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North Carolina has obtained 300,000 testing swabs and 224,000 viral transport media, delivery of which is expected weekly through June. The state is also coordinating with the Federal government and corporate partners to expand testing sites throughout the state, Cohen said.

"Walmart and Walgreens have opened Federally supported testing sites in Durham and Pitt counties this week," she said. Later this month, testing will expand to some Walmart and Harris Teeter locations in Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Guilford, Hoke, Jackson and Wilkes counties.

"The tests at these sites are paid for by federal government so there is no cost for the people getting tests," she said.

"Anyone who needs a test in NC can get one right now," Cohen said.

The spread of COVID-19 in congregate living facilities throughout the state also increased since Monday, by 99 people for a total of 3,796 confirmed cases. Outbreaks are now present in 64 nursing homes, 22 residential care facilities and 18 correctional facilities, according to data released by NC DHHS.

Congregate living facilities, such as nursing homes, residential care facilities and correctional facilities, account for about a quarter of the confirmed coronavirus cases in the state but claim more than 60 percent of North Carolina's COVID-19 deaths.

Mecklenburg County continues to report the most number of positive cases. As of Tuesday, 2,148 people in the county had tested positive and 62 people have died from COVID-19.

In the Research Triangle, Wake County reported 1,061 positive cases and 23 deaths as of Tuesday. Durham County had the next most positive cases in the state, at 887. As of May 12, 33 people in Durham County had died from COVID-19.

Globally, more than 4.2 million have been infected by COVID-19, and more than 287,000 people have lost their lives, Johns Hopkins University reported Tuesday morning. In the U.S., more than 1.3 million people have been infected and at least 80,897 people have died from COVID-19.

In an attempt to provide as much information to our readers as possible, Patch is publishing a county-by-county breakdown of the coronavirus cases reported in 99 of North Carolina's 100 counties, along with the number of cases by county and the number of deaths:

Monday, NC DHHS announced that recipients of Food and Nutrition Services would receive an increase to May benefits to help families access food during the pandemic. All families receiving benefits will receive the maximum amount allowed for their family size, regardless of their usual benefit amount.

The temporary increase will benefit approximately 360,000 households in North Carolina, the agency said. More information about the benefits may be found here.

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