COVID-19 Deaths In North Carolina Surpass 20,000

Cassie Fambro
·1 min read

NORTH CAROLINA — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released the latest data this week, pointing to an uptick in hospitalizations and a record loss of life.

More than 20,000 North Carolinians have lost their lives to COVID-19, according to the NCDHHS, since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

Additionally, the state set a new record for hospitalizations of 4,689 people currently being treated for COVID-19.

The daily percent positivity rate, which measures how many COVID-19 tests come back positive out of tests administered, is above 35 percent.

That does not include at-home rapid tests that people do not report, so officials say that number is likely underreported.

The NCDHHS offered the following advice to all North Carolina residents:

  • If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate until you receive your test results. If you test positive, follow isolation recommendations. If you do not develop symptoms, get tested at least five days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

  • To find a testing site near you, visit ncdhhs.gov/GetTested. For an up-to-date list of no-cost community testing events, visit the No-Cost Testing Events webpage. Additionally, all North Carolinians can request a free at-home COVID-19 testing kit.

  • Visit myspot.nc. vaccines to schedule a vaccine, which provide the best protection from COVID-19.

  • Ask your doctor about treatment options or call the Combat COVID Monoclonal Antibodies Call Center at 1-877-332-6585 (English) or 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish), or find treatment near you.


This article originally appeared on the Charlotte Patch