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Raleigh, North Carolina – North Carolina reported a record 9,527 new cases of coronavirus on New Years Day.
This was followed by another staggering total of 9,365 on January 2.
The historic high set on January 1, followed by another huge number on Saturday, brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in North Carolina to 558,437.
The state also reported 144 additional COVID-19-related deaths in the past two days, bringing the state’s total to 6,892.
Hospitalizations also hit a record high this weekend, with the state reporting 3,749 hospitalizations on Saturday, up seven from Friday’s total.
According to the state, 783 COVID-19 hospital patients are being treated in intensive care units. This means that more than a fifth of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are in intensive care units. State hospitals are 74% full and intensive care beds currently have a capacity of 83%.
The rate of positive tests also climbed to 15.5%, the third highest score during the pandemic and the highest since the initial outbreak after two days in mid-April.
The high numbers come as officials worry about the impact holiday gatherings could have on the course of the pandemic in the crucial coming months.
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