Raleigh, NC – North Carolina reported a record 9,527 new cases of coronavirus on New Year’s Day.
This was followed by another astonishing 9,365 on January 2.
The highest record set on January 1, followed by another large number on Saturday, brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in North Carolina to 558,437.
The state also recorded 144 more COVID-19-related deaths in the past two days, totaling 6,892.
Hospitalizations also hit an all-time high this weekend, with the state registering 3,749 hospitals on Saturday, an increase of seven from Friday’s total.
According to the state, 783 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are being treated in intensive care units. This means that more than a fifth of those hospitalized with COVID-19 are in ICUs. Hospitals across the state are 74% full and ICU beds are currently 83% full.
The positive test rate also rose to 15.5%, which is the third highest mark during the course of the pandemic and the highest since the initial outbreak, which occurred two days ago in mid-April.
The high numbers come at a time when the authorities are concerned about the impact that festive events may have on the course of the pandemic in the coming crucial months.