Coronavirus hospitalizations in North Carolina surpass 1,700 :: WRAL.com



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– A day after the number of people treated in North Carolina hospitals for coronavirus topped 1,600 for the first time, the figure jumped to more than 1,700 on Tuesday.

Of the 1,724 people hospitalized for COVID-19, nearly a quarter are in intensive care. Twenty-two percent of all intensive care patients statewide have tested positive for the virus.

Coronavirus patients represent 10% of all hospital patients in North Carolina. Hospitals are about 76% full, while four out of five ICU beds are occupied.

The numbers have prompted most of North Carolina’s major hospital systems to band together to urge people to follow safety guidelines issued by state and federal public health experts in order to limit the spread of the virus.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is killing thousands of people every day and making millions more sick around the world. It is a global problem with a huge local impact. Yet many people choose not to take the threat seriously and in doing so are endangering not only their own lives, but those of our neighbors and families as well, ”said leaders of 20 hospital systems, including Duke University Health, WakeMed, FirstHealth of the Carolinas and Novant Health, in a statement released Tuesday.

Tracking NC coronavirus cases by county

“We are seeing the number of cases increasing every day. We are seeing the potential for significant spikes in cases that will overwhelm some hospitals. We are seeing people dying and we are wondering how many of them could have lived if more people had had different choices to closely monitor public health advice, ”the statement continued.

Hospital officials have recommended people keep Thanksgiving celebrations small and keep them outside, if possible, for more distance. They also urged people to avoid shopping crowds on Black Friday and to “always wear a mask” except when eating.

“We recognize that masks are uncomfortable, and it is both frustrating and disappointing not to celebrate this year’s holidays with large traditional gatherings,” the letter says. “We need to reduce the spread of this virus and in doing so save lives – the lives of true North Carolinians who will have the opportunity to celebrate many more holidays to come.”

North Carolina also reported 3,100 more cases of the coronavirus statewide on Tuesday, marking the sixth day last week when the figure exceeded 3,000. The seven-day average of 3,543 cases per day is just out of the record set Monday.

More than 5,000 North Carolina residents have died during the pandemic, 35 of which were reported on Tuesday.

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