NC's COVID hospitalizations near levels seen last January, but fewer people in the ICU

The record for COVID-19 hospitalizations is 3,992 on Jan. 13, 2021, according to WRAL Data Trackers. That means the current surge in hospitalizations has topped the number of coronavirus patients seen during the state's delta surge in the fall.

The number of patients who need a ventilator is also nearing the level seen during the autumn wave of delta cases. On Tuesday, around 430 COVID-19 patients were on a ventilator, around a 90% increase since last month. The most patients North Carolina has seen needing a ventilator during the coronavirus pandemic was around 690 in mid-September.

The rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations may not tell the full story. In fact, the WRAL Investigates team learned that 1 in 3 of all patients in hospitals with COVID went to the hospital for other issues.

“Some people who fall from ladders or get a heart attack or have to come in because of a gallbladder issue test positive," said Dr. David Wohl, infectious diseases specialist at UNC Health.

People who arrive at the hospital for an unrelated issue, but test positive for COVID-19, are having to stay at the hospital for much longer and are still weighing down the state's already-worn health care system.

"Our hospitals are strained, they are not maxed out," said Gov. Roy Cooper in an interview with WRAL news on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, there were around 240 empty hospital beds across Wake, Johnston, Franklin, Lee and Harnett counties.

The good news is that while the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations continues to rise, the number of people who are in the intensive care unit with coronavirus now make up only 18% of all hospitalizations, compared to 27% a month ago.

"We know that omicron — although it is more transmissible — the disease that it causes is not as serious in most people," Cooper said. "This is why I think that we are seeing fewer people in the ICU than we did before."

The state's case positivity rate continues to stay above 30%, which is well above the state's goal of 5%. Tuesday was the sixth day in a row that North Carolina's case positivity rate was above 30%.

North Carolina added 17,705 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, which is fewer than what was reported over the past six days. But, the state usually reports low numbers on Tuesdays due to delays from results of weekend testing. Compared to last Tuesday, the state reported a 72% increase in new cases.