Hospitalizations in North Carolina ballooned to another record number Thursday, surpassing Wednesday's record of 4,098 and becoming the most in North Carolina since the start of the pandemic.  

What You Need to Know 

Hospitalizations are at 4,275, the highest levels since the beginning of the pandemic 

More COVID-19 patients are filling hospitals as the omicron variant creates a spike in cases

Hospital leaders across the state say their resources, including staffing, are stretched thin

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports a total of 4,275 patients are in the hospital with COVID-19. As of Thursday, the number of adult patients in ICU with the virus is 741, while the number of patients on ventilators is at 463. 

The surge is being fueled by the more-contagious omicron variant, combined with holiday season gatherings and colder temperatures, sending more people indoors. Health experts also cite pandemic fatigue and relaxation of safety measures as a contributing factor. 

Last January, hospitalizations came close to the 4,000 mark, with the highest day being Jan. 13, 2021, exactly one year ago, at 3,992 COVID-19 patients. 

"We are definitely focused on our hospital numbers," Kody Kinsely, new Chief Deputy Secretary for Health at DHHS, said at a news conference along side Gov. Roy Cooper on Jan. 4. "That's what we're watching incredibly closely." 

He added that the state is in close communication with hospital leaders as the numbers go up.  

On Monday, hospital leaders from the Triad's biggest health care systems came together at a video news conference and pleaded for the public to heed COVID-19 safety measures, such as boosting, vaccinating, mask-wearing and avoiding large crowds. 

"Our health systems are being threatened because of the rising volume of COVID-19," CEO of Cone Health Mary Cagle said at the Jan. 10 news conference. "Our ability to care for our communities are being threatened." 

Health care leaders from Moses Cone Health System, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health of the Triad stressed the importance of following safety guidelines. They described their facilities as strained and stretched thin by surging cases and said that staff shortages due to illness feel endless. 

Directors of Triangle-area hospitals had a similar message, saying their ICUs were filling up. They pleading with people to get boosted, vaccinated and be safe. 

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