North Carolina’s Covid-19 numbers continue to rise, hitting a one-day record-breaker of 11,581 cases reported on Saturday, Jan. 9. (Port City Daily/File) SOUTHEASTERN NC — According to the latest numbers from the state’s Covid-19 dashboard, North Carolina has reached a total of 614,355 Covid-19 cases, with 3,871 people hospitalized and 7,425 deaths. Statewide case counts keep breaking one-day numbers for the second weekend in a row. N.C. Health and Human Services (NCHHS) reported 11,581 on Saturday, Jan. 9, following two days of hitting more than 10,000 cases each day. New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties also are hitting new highs. All three counties are in the red zone, meaning there is critical viral spread of Covid-19, according to the Covid-19 County Alert System.