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'We need to do more,' doc says as NC reports single-day record 67 deaths from coronavirus

North Carolina reported more deaths from the novel coronavirus on Tuesday than on any other single day since the pandemic began. The 67 deaths reported Tuesday bring the statewide total to 4,457 dead since March.

Posted 2020-11-03T18:08:28+00:00 - Updated 2020-11-03T19:57:42+00:00

Increase in coronavirus cases across NC raising more concerns

Kirsten Gutiérrez

, WRAL reporter

Jessica Dixon, an infection prevention specialist, said, “It is really sad and disheartening to see the highest death toll that we’ve seen to date. Obviously, it means we’ve still transmitting this virus. People are still getting sick from it, people are still dying from it. And that’s very sad for me to see both as an infection preventionist and a member of this community.”

Total reported COVID-19 cases, deaths in NC

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services updates the number of cumulative lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths daily at around noon. This chart shows the cumulative count of cases. NOTE: This chart now includes cases and deaths identified through antigen testing, which DHHS began reporting on its dashboard on Sept. 25. Read more about the corrections and compare the changes here.

Source: N.C. DHHS
Graphic: Tyler Dukes, WRAL

“We’ve relaxed things too much; we’ve let down our guard," said Dr. David Wohl, professor of medicine, and an expert on infectious diseases at the University of North Carolina. "We’re not seeing people do what they need to do is really what I think is unfortunate.”

More than 280,000 cases of the coronavirus have been recorded in North Carolina. Approximately 246,000 of those people are believed to have recovered.

While most people suffer minor symptoms, more than 1,100 people are currently being treated in hospitals across the state.

“This is a really devastating infection in some people," Wohl said. "The problem is we don’t know who it’s going to be a mild infection in and who it’s going to be really catastrophic in. That makes it hard. Each one of these people has a life, has a story, has families. So we see these numbers, but we’re numb.”

The United States has the dubious distinction of having more cases and more deaths from the coronavirus than any other country in the world. In fact, the handling of the coronavirus and the economic impact of stay-at-home orders has become a major issue in the presidential election.

"We’re at a tipping point right now where most people are realizing that we’re going to have to take action," Wohl said. "We need a comprehensive policy. It’s not just about masks, it’s about testing. It’s about all this together with education, leadership. We need to do more.”