N.C. COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Spike For Unvaccinated People

North Carolina is experiencing a rapid increase in COVID-19 spread among unvaccinated people.

After months of seeing declining numbers, North Carolina has seen an uptick in COVID-19 spread, with a nearly 66 percent increase in cases reported last week. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says in a news release that hospitalizations have doubled since July 9 and are at the highest rate since mid-May.

Some other key metrics are also going in the wrong direction, with more counties experiencing substantial community spread, and emergency departments seeing more people with COVID-like symptoms, along with a spike in the percent of tests that are positive.

According to NCDHHS, more than 94 percent of recent North Carolina cases are in people who were not fully vaccinated.

Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement that “unvaccinated North Carolinians are unnecessarily getting sick, being hospitalized and dying.” NCDHHS is urging everyone 12 and older to get their shot, and Cohen reminded unvaccinated people that they need to wear a mask indoors in public spaces.