North Carolina health officials said the total number of COVID-19 cases throughout the state is 44,119 after 1,443 more were reported. Five more people have died from the virus, bringing the total to 1,109 deaths statewide.
So far, 627,130 tests have been completed. The state is currently reporting a nine percent positive test rate, among the highest in the country.
Of the total cases, 798 are currently being hospitalized. This is 25 less than Sunday's total of 823, which was the all-time high to date.
The percentage of positive cases continuing to climb puts North Carolina in the midst of its “first wave”— or peak, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said Friday.
“This isn’t a second wave. This for us is a first,” Cohen said. “I think this is our first experience at an increase. It reminds us that this virus is here, and we have to live with this virus, because we don’t have a vaccine. We don’t have a cure.”
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