CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here is a roundup of what’s happening so far today, June 21, surrounding COVID-19 in both North Carolina and South Carolina (click here for yesterday’s coverage). Scroll below for live, local real-time minute-by-minute updates.
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[COUNTY-BY-COUNTY COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE]
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- The number of cases across North Carolina reached 52,801 on Sunday. North Carolina is now reporting 1,220 deaths, 745,775 completed tests and 845 people currently in the hospital.
- Cooper considers statewide mask mandate as hospitalizations climb.
- Health leaders have issued guidance on reopening NC schools.
- South Carolina also released guidance for its schools.
- Cooper vetoed a bill Friday that would let NC bars reopen.
- Cooper says a decision on shuttered businesses will come next week.
- The next stimulus package could include vacation credit, second check.
- CDC points to NC, SC for having surges in new coronavirus cases.
- ReOpen NC has started a ‘burn your mask challenge’ on social media.
Live, local updates from Sunday:
SC health officials report 907 new confirmed cases of COVID-19
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 907 new confirmed cases and 1 new probable case of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and 9 additional confirmed deaths.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 24,661, probable cases to 32, confirmed deaths to 653, and zero probable deaths.
The total number of people tested Saturday statewide was 5,622 and 16.1% of the tests came back positive.
Officials said six of the deaths were elderly people from Chester (1), Colleton (1), Florence (2), and Richland (2) counties, and three of the deaths were middle-aged people from Richland (1), Spartanburg (1), and Sumter (1) counties.
NC reports over 1,400 new coronavirus cases
With 74% of hospitals reporting, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported over 1,400 new coronavirus cases for the state.
Currently, 845 people are in the hospital with severe symptoms due to the novel coronavirus.
NCDHHS reports 21% of hospital inpatient beds and 22% of Intensive Care Unit beds are currently available across the state, and 71% of ventilators are available.
The new hospitalization record comes as the state reports at least 1,412 more positive COVID-19 cases and 8 more deaths, for a total of 52,801 cases and 1,220 deaths since the pandemic began.
The state more than doubled its testing goal, with 14,434 more tests reported Sunday. Currently, 10% of tests are positive, a number which has remained roughly stable since increasing slightly earlier this month.
Mecklenburg County continues to lead the state in cases and deaths, with 8,752 and 135 respectively.
Lab-confirmed cases: 52,801
Completed tests: 745,775
Currently hospitalized: 845
Statewide deaths: 1,220
Confirmed cases by age:
0-17 (10%)
18-24 (12%)
25-49 (45%)
50-64 (20%)
65-74 (7%)
75 or older (7%)
COVID-19 deaths by age:
25-49 (5%)
50-64 (14%)
65-74 (20%)
75 or older (60%)
Cases by race:
White: 55%
Black: 25%
Cases by gender:
Women: 50%
Men: 50%
(Men account for 53% of deaths)
Cases and deaths in congregate living settings:
There are 106 outbreaks in nursing homes across the state, resulting in 4,209 cases and 623 deaths.
There are 60 outbreaks at residential care facilities across the state, resulting in 1,158 cases and 103 deaths.
__________
Caldwell County reports 3 additional coronavirus cases
Caldwell County is reporting three additional coronavirus cases. This brings the total confirmed cases in the county to 302.
Officials said out of the 5,981 tests taken in the county, 5.04% of tests have come back positive.
__________
Burke County reports 873 positive cases
Burke County is reporting 873 positive coronavirus cases. The cases consist of traveling, congregate living, and community spread. All positive cases are isolated.
__________
SC Health announces 16.2 percent of tests are positive
South Carolina DHEC announced 1,157 new confirmed cases and 5 new probable cases of COVID-19, and 5 additional confirmed deaths. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 23,756, probable cases to 30, confirmed deaths to 644, and zero probable deaths.
7,125 people were tested Friday statewide (not including antibody tests) and the percent that tested positive was 16.2%.
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