More than a dozen children hospitalized across the Triangle with COVID-19 :: WRAL.com

By Maggie Brown, WRAL Multiplatform Producer

Raleigh, North Carolina – Hospitalizations for the coronavirus continue to rise sharply in North Carolina. On Monday, the state reported more than 3,000 people were still hospitalized, a 20% increase from a week ago.

Sixteen children were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday at Duke Health, UNC Health, WakeMed Health and Cape Fear Valley Medical Center hospitals.

Only 23% of all hospital beds in the state are open, and even fewer intensive care unit beds are open, according to state data.

“The average age of an inpatient has dropped from around 70 in January to around 50 now,” a spokesperson for WakeMed said. “About half of our COVID-19 hospital patients are between the ages of 30 and 50, and over 90% of our COVID-19 hospital patients are not vaccinated. “

COVID-19-related deaths are increasing with hospitalization rates. On average, 34 North Carolinians die from the virus every day. This is the highest death rate we have seen since the end of March.

A month ago, there were less than 100 coronavirus patients at UNC Health. This week, the hospital is treating more than 450 patients.

The number of people who will be vaccinated against COVID-19 has increased slightly since the end of July, according to state data. Almost 60% of the state’s entire population aged 18 and over are vaccinated Monday.