CDC points to NC, SC for having surges in new coronavirus cases

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Doctors said one of the main reasons the Carolinas are seeing so many new cases of the coronavirus is that fewer people are social distancing.

Social distancing statistics are currently at a three month low in Mecklenburg County.

Most people Channel 9′s Erin Edwards spoke to Saturday said they are concerned, but they’re not letting it stop them from going out to restaurants and enjoying the weather.

This week, South Carolina, North Carolina and Mecklenburg County leaders said numbers of coronavirus cases are not trending in the right direction.

Leaders are also urging people to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Channel 9 went around South End to see if people were following those requests. Channel 9 saw dozens of people out and about Saturday, but only four people who were wearing masks.

And this comes as the Carolinas hit new record numbers of positive cases.

South Carolina had its highest single-day increase in cases Friday, with 770. North Carolina reported its highest single-day number of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

“I’d say I’m definitely concerned. I work at a nursing home so I’m taking the precautions that need to be taken," neighbor Nadia Byers said.

Currently, there are over 42,000 cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina and over 6,000 in Mecklenburg County.

“I think for us we’ve seen even in the beginning people were disregarding the social distancing, which is kind of worrying because the spread can go faster and cases will go up," neighbor Clay Dimick said.

Coronavirus: How to clean your cloth mask Coronavirus: How to clean your cloth mask

© 2020 Cox Media Group