NC sees higher-than-usual deaths from, positive tests for coronavirus

While just 897 new cases were reported across the state, 916 people remain hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19.

The number of deaths – 49 – doubled the recent rolling daily average and is the second-highest daily total so far. On Sept. 5, the state reported 50 deaths.

The percent of tests coming back positive has been on a steady increase all week – from about 5% on Monday to 7.1% on Wednesday. The rate of positive tests had been declining since a recent peak at 8% on Aug. 26.

Since March, 178,418 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 2,937 have died.

Most people recover. Through Monday, the state had estimated that 156,652 people had recovered, or about 88% of the state’s cases.