Raleigh, NC – North Carolina reported a record 9,527 new cases of coronavirus on New Year’s Day.
This was followed by another staggering total of 9,365 on January 2nd.
The historical share set for January 1, followed by another high on Saturday, brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in North Carolina to 558,437.
The state also reported 144 other COVID-19-related deaths in the past two days, bringing the total to 6,892 states.
Hospitalizations also hit an all-time high this weekend, as the state reported 3,749 hospitals on Saturday, up seven from Friday’s total.
According to the state, 783 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are being treated in intensive care units. This means that over one-fifth of those hospitalized with COVID-19 are in the ICU. Hospitals across the country are 74% full, and intensive care beds currently have a capacity of 83%.
The positive rate of the test also rose to 15.5 percent, which is the third highest note during the pandemic and the highest since the initial outbreak two days ago in mid-April.
The rising number comes as officials worry about the impact holiday gatherings could have on the pandemic’s course in the coming crucial months.