NC sets new records for COVID deaths and hospitalized patients Josh Shaffer, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
Dec. 16 RALEIGH For the third-straight day Wednesday, North Carolina reached a new high for patients hospitalized with COVID-19, further stressing the state s medical workers.
The state Department of Health and Human Services reported 451,874 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 5,273 from Tuesday s total.
Another 98 people have been reported dead of the virus since Tuesday also a state single-day record.
DHHS also reported 2,811 patients are now recuperating from the virus in hospitals statewide, up 76 from Tuesday.
A week ago Wednesday, that total stood at 2,440 patients, meaning the pandemic has filled nearly 400 more North Carolina hospital beds since then.
State to offer 300+ free COVID testing sites over the next two weeks
Governor Roy Cooper said this week’s distribution of the Pfizer vaccine shows ‘real hope’ is on the horizon in bringing an end to the painful losses of the COVID pandemic.
Eight hospitals received doses of the vaccine today, following Monday’s distribution.
This Thursday, 42 more hospitals are in line to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
And following FDA approval, 175,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine could arrive in North Carolina next week, with more than half of those earmarked for long-term care facilities.
Beyond that questions remain.
“North Carolina and every other state need clarity from the federal government as to how many doses of the Pfizer vaccine we will receive going forward,” said Gov. Cooper on Tuesday. “We’ve been told each Friday we’ll get information about the following week’s shipment, giving the states just a few hours to direct where those shipments will go.”
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