CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New data from North Carolina health officials indicates COVID-19 cases are climbing again, reaching numbers not seen since winter 2021. On Thursday, most of the state, including Mecklenburg County, shifted into the CDC's high COVID-19 Community Level.
The only counties in the WCNC Charlotte viewing area that are not at the high level are Gaston, Lincoln and Cleveland counties. They are all in the medium COVID-19 Community Level. Only two counties in the state are at the low level.
In Mecklenburg County, all metrics have started to rise. Officials say holiday gatherings are to blame.
"We’re on a trajectory that I think is to be expected this time of year but that’s why we need everybody on board to help us take some of those steps to keep folks from spreading covid and other viruses," Dr. Raynard Washingon, Mecklenburg County Health Director said.
Case counts are likely underreported because of at-home testing.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), more than 1,500 people were admitted to the hospital this week, a 46% increase over the last week's admissions rate. Almost 22,000 virus cases were also reported.
"We’ve seen the largest increases in hospitalizations that have almost doubled since after Thanksgiving," Washington said. He said that is what pushed Mecklenburg County into the high level.
While 95% of the county has had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, about 70% have completed their primary series of shots.
NC DHHS data also told a similar story across the state: 78% of all adults in the Tar Heel State have at least one vaccine dose, along with 30% of children and teens. 59% of the state's total population has received at least one dose of the original booster shot, while only 20% have received the updated booster.
Experts say now is a good time to get up to date on vaccines, test whenever exposed or showing symptoms and to stay home when sick.
“As you’re going out to crowded places or public settings indoors that are more crowded where risk is higher, I would encourage everyone to consider wearing a high-quality face mask," Washington said. "And of course, the CDC recommends when communities get in the high level that more people should think about wearing masks.”
Health experts are urging people to get the updated shot to help combat the spread of certain variants of the virus, chiefly the omicron strain and its subvariants. Nationwide, XBB.1.5, a variant in the Omicron family, now makes up one-third of new cases. It has been sequenced in North Carolina and Mecklenburg County and experts expect it will soon be the dominant strain here.