UNC doctor: 'I've never been as concerned as I am right now' about growth of COVID-19 cases

That estimate could take the number infected from 2.3 million to 20 million people. With over 900 hospitalizations in North Carolina, that prediction could end up putting a tremendous strain on our healthcare system.

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With each day, it appears the concern grows around COVID-19.

“My fear is that it is going to get worse before it gets better," said Dr. David Wohl, an infectious disease doctor at the UNC School of Medicine. "I’ve never been as concerned as I am right now.”

The news comes at a time when hospitalizations and infections are growing in the state and on the heels of Gov. Roy Cooper’s mask mandate, which goes into effect Friday, and decision to remain in Phase 2 for at least three more weeks.

"We are so in the depths of this, I feel like the risk right now for catching this virus is so much higher than it was a month or two ago," Wohl said.

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The CDC took a look at blood samples across the country for the presence of antibodies to the virus. The assessment found for every confirmed case of COVID-19, 10 more people had antibodies. That means more people have been infected with the virus than are currently numbered.

"My concern is that we are going to have to start going back and not forward to reopening and closing in a smart way,” Wohl said.

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Wohl said it is imperative now more than ever for everyone to practice social distancing and wear a mask in attempts to reverse the trend.