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North Carolina’s COVID-19 trends are higher.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, the state recorded its highest number of new cases – 2,533 – since the start of the pandemic. On Friday, Oct. 16, that record was broken when the state reported 2,684 new cases. Hospitalizations are increasing slowly and on Friday recorded the second highest total in 30 days with 1,148 patients. On Friday, the percentage of positive tests reached 6.3%, above the 5% goal.

“North Carolinians must be even more vigilant,” said Governor Roy Cooper at a Thursday, Oct. 15, press conference.

“Get behind the mask,” said Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. “We have the tools to slow the spread and protect one another. The science is clear on masks. They work. They slow the spread. Whatever your reason, I am asking you to get behind the mask.”

Cohen reported that half the folks called by contact tracers are not responding. “Pick up the phone,” said the secretary.

North Carolina will submit its plan for initial priority people and for distribution at the start of vaccinations. The plan was expected to be filed with the federal government on Friday, Oct. 16.

Dare County

In Dare County, new cases have been increasing. From Oct. 12 through Oct. 16, another 34 cases were added to the cumulative total, which is now 623. Ten of the 34 cases are non-residents; 24 are residents. The current active cases number 27 in home isolation, one person hospitalized and one in isolation outside Dare County. Four non-residents are isolating in Dare County.

In Dare County, Peak Resources is reporting two staff cases and three resident cases.

In Dare County, people have been answering the calls from the Dare Health Division. Kelly Nettnin estimates that 95% of the contact tracing calls are answered.

Hyde County

As of Oct. 16, Hyde County Health Department is reporting 175 total cumulative cases with 29 active cases as of Friday afternoon. Some 141 recoveries are counted.

Hyde County Correctional Institution has tested 473 people, of which 44 were positive. The previous positive test total was 22. Currently, 38 cases at Hyde Correctional are active according to NC Department of Corrections information listed Friday at 3 p.m.

Tyrrell County

On Oct. 15, the Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health reported Tyrrell with 120 lab-confirmed cases with 116 recovered. Three deaths have been recorded in Tyrrell County. The Tyrrell Prison Work Farm is in outbreak status with ten tests administered and 22 recovered, according to the state’s Department of Public Safety website.

Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank counties

As of Oct. 16, 2020, Albemarle Regional Health Services has published the following case information:

Camden: 131 lab-confirmed cases with 22 active and 106 recovered. Three deaths have occurred. The case number is up by three and active cases by one.

Currituck: 214 lab-confirmed cases, an increase of seven. Some 31 cases are active, also a seven case increase. The county has experienced four deaths. Currituck Health and Rehab reports two staff cases of COVID-19. At Currituck House, 26 total cases are reported, 10 staff and 16 residents and three of the county’s four deaths are attributed to the outbreak at the Currituck House.

Pasquotank: 806 lab-confirmed cases, a case increase of 12. Active cases number 98. Some 673 have recovered and 35 people have died. Both newly reported deaths were over the age of 65 and succumbed to complications from COVID-19. These deaths are related to the outbreak at Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation. Waterbrooke LTCF has been removed from the congregant living list, because no new cases emerged within 28 days.

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