North Carolina reported a record 8,444 new COVID-19 cases Friday, shattering the previous high in cases identified in a single day as the coronavirus continues to spread rapidly throughout the state and country.
The state's previous high in cases came a week ago, when 7,540 new coronavirus cases were reported.
Additionally, a record 2,824 people were in the hospital in North Carolina on Friday, as the test-positivity rate was 10.5%. That is the lowest the positivity rate has been in the past week.
The week has also had a jump in deaths attributed to COVID-19: 60 more were added Friday, bringing the last five-day total to 302. On Wednesday, a record 98 deaths were reported; on Thursday it was 86.
"I am very worried for our state. Everyone must act right now to protect each other," said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen in a news release. "Do not wait until it’s you or your loved one sick with COVID-19 to wear a mask, wait apart from others and wash your hands often. Do not wait until it’s you or your loved one alone in a hospital bed. Do not wait until you’ve lost a loved one to this pandemic. Take personal responsibility for you, your loved ones and your community now."
In Mecklenburg County, a record 331 people were reported hospitalized for COVID-19 on Friday, the highest number to date. The average number of positive tests in the past week in the county was 12.1%, also the highest number to date.
County health officials notified Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools that several reported COVID-19 cases at Bradley Middle School have been identified as a cluster. It is the first identified cluster of coronavirus cases at a CMS facility.
CMS said all impacted students and staff were notified last week of confirmed cases and the need to quarantine due to close contact with anyone infected.
The exponential spread of the virus comes as the United States recorded two milestones this week: the first COVID-19 vaccines were distributed, and the country also topped 300,000 deaths attributed to the coronavirus on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University's COVID-19 Tracking Project.
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