Coronavirus case numbers are getting worse across North Carolina. There are now 48 counties listed as “red” with “critical spread” of the virus, up from 20 two weeks ago, according to the State Department of Health and Human Services.
State officials released the new map of coronavirus red zones Tuesday as the governor announced a new executive order imposing a statewide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night, which will go into effect Friday.
“We’ve seen rapid increases in our metrics here in North Carolina,” Gov. Roy Cooper said during a Tuesday news conference. “North Carolina’s trends are alarming.”
The state has been breaking records for daily case numbers and hospitalizations in recent weeks. On Wednesday, DHHS data showed almost 6,500 new virus cases and 2,440 people hospitalized with COVID-19.
More than 5,660 people have died from the virus in North Carolina, according to DHHS.
“A month ago we were deeply concerned to see daily case totals go above 3,000. Now we’re shocked that the number has doubled, with some daily counts at more than 6,000,” Cooper said.
“I know that news of effective and safe vaccines has given us all hope, but vaccines aren’t here yet,” he said.
Cooper has called on counties in areas with critical spread to tighten local rules and increase enforcement of mask mandates and occupancy for businesses.
The county rankings, which show the threat of the virus worsening across much of North Carolina, is based on testing data, percent of positive tests and hospital impact.
Hospitalizations and reports of new cases have increased sharply, according to Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state DHHS.
“We are seeing increases across the state. Hospitals are feeling the strain,” she said.
“Given our statewide trend, it’s no surprise that our statewide map presents a sobering picture,” Cohen said.
Almost half of North Carolina counties are in the red on the new DHHS map and another 34 are listed as orange, with “substantial levels of viral spread,” Cohen said.
“If you are in a red or orange county, you should limit going out to essential activities. You should avoid people that you don’t live with,” Cohen said.
“Our state now is mostly red and orange. This paints a dramatic picture of where we are,” she said. “These numbers likely do not yet even reflect the impact of Thanksgiving gatherings.”
“I’m very worried,” she said.
