More COVID-19 deaths recorded in 2020 than 10-year influenza deaths :: WRAL.com

By Matthew Burns, Senior Producer / Political Editor at WRAL.com and Keely Arthur, WRAL Reporter

Raleigh, North Carolina — North Carolina’s increasing number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations So far this year, more people have died from COVID-19 than those who have died from seasonal flu in the last decade, according to state data...

“Sadly, more than 5,000 North Carolinas have died from the virus since their first death on March 12, this year,” Health Minister Mandikoen said at a press conference on December 1. It was.

“To give some perspective, just under 1,500 people have died of the flu in the last decade,” Cohen said. “In just 11 months, COVID killed more than three times that number.”

WRAL’s fact checker has reviewed years of influenza data and confirmed that the statement is true...

A record 5,637 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Carolina on Thursday, a whopping 25 percent above previous records.

Meanwhile, 2,101 people are being treated for COVID-19 in hospitals throughout the state, setting a record for the sixth consecutive day on this index.

Cohen called the state soaring over 5,000 in the new incident “another catastrophic milestone.”

“This number is alarming,” Cohen said during a pandemic briefing.

The previous record for the new case on 22 November was 4,514. Thursday’s record (just nine months after North Carolina reported its first coronavirus case) averaged a seven-day average of 3,793 new cases last week. ..

The surge could be due to a test crash that took place before Thanksgiving while people were preparing for a holiday gathering, but Cohen also said that 11.4 percent of positive coronavirus tests. Expressed concern about.

“I’m very worried,” she said.

Governor Roy Cooper, who was touring the Pittsboro plant, which manufactures protective face shields and wraps nasal swabs for virus testing, said he was “deeply concerned” about the nasty trends in North Carolina.

“We are particularly worried about the stress on the hospital,” Cooper said. “We know that trying to get these numbers back is very important.”

Both Cooper and Cohen said state pandemic-related restrictions were sufficient to limit the spread of the virus. However, they said they would impose stricter restrictions as needed.

“I’m grateful that there are many people who do the right thing and follow the rules, but it’s irresponsible to ignore the rules and create a potentially infectious situation,” the governor said. .. “It is very important that people follow these orders and take personal responsibility.”

“We knew there was an increased risk of spread,” Cohen said during the winter holidays. “But we know what to do. We know what prevents this …. We can now do everything to slow the spread of this virus. We have to do. “

The US Food and Drug Administration will meet next week to consider an emergency license for a vaccine that Pfizer may manufacture. Vaccine candidates from Moderna and other companies are also in the FDA-approved pipeline.

When the vaccine is approved, North Carolina will initially receive about 85,000 vaccinations and be sent to the state’s largest hospital, Cohen said. Ultra-low temperature freezer required for storage of Pfizer vaccine..

She said that local hospitals and small facilities in the city do not have access to their first batch. This is due to refrigeration requirements and the inability to divide 1,000 packages into smaller units. However, doses will continue to ship to North Carolina from late December to January, eventually to smaller hospitals and counties.

Nursing home workers and health care workers who deal directly with COVID-19 patients will be the first group to be vaccinated in the state, Cohen said.

The state has not yet seen the full impact of travel and holiday gatherings on Thanksgiving weekends, Cooper said. Fearing a surge in incidents throughout his upcoming vacation, he continued to preach safety.

“We hope people are smart and responsible during the holidays,” he said. “Rethink when considering the fact that those planning these large gatherings can not only make people sick, but all other people they come in contact with. Hope these people. During the holidays, it’s when you see a lot of it. “