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.
After a steady increase in numbers, we’ve broken another case record today with 6,018 new cases. We’re examining what action may be needed to protect North Carolinians, but we need everyone to wear masks and follow safety measures. Our actions right now are life or death.
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) December 5, 2020
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.