60 New COVID-19 Cases, 1 Death Reported In Davidson This Week

DAVIDSON, NC — The post-holiday surge in coronavirus spread continues in Mecklenburg County as the number of known COVID-19 cases in the county rose to 66,225 Tuesday, an increase of nearly 5,000 cases in the span of a week.

In Davidson, at least 894 cases and with nine COVID-19 deaths were confirmed as of Jan. 4, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data. The tally represents an increase of at least 60 new cases and one death in Davidson in a week.

Mecklenburg County Public Health reported that as of Jan. 4, the county's tally included 66,225 cases and 588 COVID-19 deaths, an increase of 36 lives lost to the virus in the county since last Tuesday. According to county public health officials, this week an average of 15.6 percent of those tested in the county were positive for coronavirus.

The tally of those infected with the virus is conservative, county health officials said.

"Many individuals infected by COVID-19 have not been tested because they are asymptomatic," MCPH said in a statement. "As such, these results are very fluid and only represent a fraction of the true burden of COVID-19 in our community."

Across the state, North Carolina public health officials reported 5,285 new cases and 55 deaths Tuesday. The new cases increased the state's tally of known cases to 575,396, as the death toll increased to 6,996 lives lost to the virus since March.

The rise in cases increases the percentage of positive cases in the state to 16.2 percent, according to DHHS data.

The surge in cases is having a direct impact on hospital capacity in the Charlotte metro region. As of Jan. 4, about 9 percent of staffed intensive care unit beds and 23 percent of staffed inpatient hospital beds remained vacant in the 13 counties that comprise the metro region, according to DHHS data.

As of Tuesday, at least 9,899 people had received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Mecklenburg County, with 19 people completing their vaccine series, DHHS said.

SEE ALSO: COVID-19 Vaccines For 75 And Up To Begin Wednesday In Mecklenburg

Beginning Jan. 6, adults in the 75 or older age group — considered "1B, Group 1" — will be able to receive a vaccine by appointment only and regardless of medical condition or living situation, county health officials said.

Supplies will be limited, according to county health officials.

"The County is opening a limited number of appointments for Phase 1b, Group 1 based on the current vaccine supply for both Phase 1a and Phase 1b," Mecklenburg County Public Health said. "If you are unable to secure an appointment right away, please continue to check for updates. As more vaccines are made available, additional appointment times will be made available.

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