Percent positives vary by county, as does testing location access and information

The percent positive in North Carolina sits at 17.3%, lower than Tuesday but still significantly higher than where we were just a week ago.

Only one county - Gates - has a rate higher than the state’s.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, WRAL Data Trackers been tracking percent positives or the percent of COVID tests that came back positive.

"It's on the day that it's reported to the health department so there can be some variation there," said Dr. Susan Kansagra, the senior deputy director for public health at the state Department of Health and Human Services.

The rates are linked to how many people are testing.

If on a particular day fewer people are getting tested but many are symptomatic and positive, there will be a higher rate.

Interactive: NC COVID-19 county alert system

There’s a slight delay in this metric by two days so the information on Wednesday is actually from Monday, Dec. 27.

Rates range from 19.4% in Gates to 3.6% in Jones.

In the WRAL viewing area, Vance, Cumberland, Hoke and Person counties have the highest percent positives in the region while Orange, Granville, Durham and Wake counties have the lowest.

WRAL looked at every local county's health department site to see how easy it was to locate testing sites there —12 of the 20 counties listed their testing sites or where to find a test. The other eight direct people to the state's page where you can type in your address or zip code and find a test nearby.

Those waiting in line for tests this week said they wish it was easier to find and get any sort of test.

"I wish they'd make take home testing more accessible," said Brenda Maxwell, who talked to WRAL on Tuesday while waiting for a test. "They're pretty expensive and I think it makes it pretty difficult to get tested often."

"I've done many tests here since 2020," said Sophia, also waiting for a test. "It's five, maybe ten minutes. You drive in, drive out. I’ve never seen this line or waited this long."