Cohen: “This is very worrisome” as N.C. tops 6,000 daily new coronavirus cases Saturday

The state’s lead health official issued an unusual Saturday statement after North Carolina reported a new daily record of 6,018 cases of COVID-19, and warned that more coronavirus-related restrictions may be necessary.

“This is very worrisome,” said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy K. Cohen, as statewide case counts moved above 5,000 just 48 hour earlier.

“We are seeing our highest rates of tests that come back positive despite the fact we are doing a lot of testing,” Cohen said. “This indicates we have even more viral spread across our state right now.”

The daily positive test rate jumped over the past week to 10.7 percent, while the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals across the state was 2,171 on Saturday.

“I am asking each North Carolinian to take personal responsibility for their actions and slowing the spread of this virus,” Cohen said. “Always wear a mask when with people you don’t live with, keep your distance from other people and wash your hands often.”

Cohen, and Gov. Roy Cooper, continued to assert that bringing back more restrictions may become necessary.

“We are looking at what further actions we can take as a state to protect North Carolinians and save lives,” Cohen said in a written statement.

Cooper’s latest executive order, which limits the number of people that can gather indoors and outside and also requires masks to be worn indoors in all places where members of more than one household are present, is set to expire on Friday, Dec. 11.

.
About Sam Walker 1512 Articles
Sam Walker was news director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, Big 94.5 WCMS and Z 92.3 from August 2011 to March 2022.