New daily COVID-19 cases top 7,000 in NC as percent positive rate dips

CHARLOTTE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday reported 7,020 new COVID-19 cases -- the first time the daily total has topped 7,000 since Jan. 23 (factoring out reporting errors).

On Wednesday, the state had reported 5,256 new cases.

Though the daily case number continued to increase, the percent positive rate dipped from 13.2% to 12.3%, meaning the state saw a significant jump in the total number of tests completed.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus also increased, from 2,930 on Wednesday to 3,083 on Thursday, though only one more patient was added to the intensive care unit total, which currently stands at 729.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the last time there were more than 3,000 people in the hospital fighting the virus at one time was in late January, during the winter surge.

“If cases keep increasing at the current rate, we will pass that January peak in a matter of weeks,” NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said on Wednesday.

According to Cohen, North Carolina recent data shows that unvaccinated people are more than four times -- or 400% -- more likely to get COVID-19 then people who are fully vaccinated.

“It is imperative that everyone get vaccinated and wear a mask so hospital beds are there for anyone who needs one whether it’s someone experiencing a heart attack or a car accident victim or someone with COVID-19,” Cohen said.

As of Thursday, 59% of North Carolinians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

CDC COVID-19 Transmission Levels by U.S. County:

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