RED ZONE: Local county’s 17% positivity rate is highest in North Carolina

TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — For at least 15 days straight, the United States has reported more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases daily.

The COVID-19 Tracking Project says 20 states are seeing their highest hospitalizations, including North Carolina -- and deaths are rising in all four regions.

North Carolina is seeing community spread, so the state created a map to break down how it is where you live. Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled the new alert system on Tuesday.

Counties in yellow are seeing substantial community spread, while red counties are seeing a critical spread.

Local counties, like Avery and Alexander, are also both in the “Red Zone.”

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty spoke to the health director in Alexander County, who said a lot of the cases are coming from people getting together.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

The map released Tuesday by the state health leaders shows Alexander County with “critical community spread.”

According to the state, Alexander County is currently seeing a 14-day positivity rate of nearly 17%, which is the highest in the state.

It’s important to note that in Alexander County, more than 100 inmates tested positive for the virus, which health officials said may be skewing the numbers.

>> NC County Alert System: See how your county is doing

Still, people Channel 9 spoke with on Wednesday said not enough masks are being worn in stores.

“We’re watching to see where the cases are coming from,” said county health director Leanne Whisnant. “We’re doing our contact tracing and it seems to be more families, more close contact. We had another that was related to a funeral.”

Alexander County officials told Channel 9 27 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 and 13 people have died after testing positive.

There is also a concern that churches could fuel the spread of the virus. Channel 9 learned that one of the biggest churches in the county, First Baptist Church of Taylorsville, has canceled their service this weekend.

On Wednesday morning, the church was collecting boxes for “Operation: Christmas Child” and everyone was wearing masks. Those dropping off boxes were told to stay in their cars.

Cooper warns N.C. counties of further virus restrictions

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