With new COVID, flu data due out Wednesday, Wake County health leaders expect cases to increase

North Carolina health officials are expected to release new flu and COVID-19 data on Wednesday for the first time after the holidays.

The trend we've seen throughout the pandemic is about 10 days after gatherings, cases go increase followed by hospitalizations, and a few weeks later - deaths.

WRAL News has seen lines start to form at drive-thru locations throughout Wake County. Certain locations offer testing for both COVID and the flu.

“We have two tests in one so people like that aspect,” said Mako Medical COVID Response Representative Erica Mayor.

Wake County partnered with Mako Medical before the holidays to get people tested before large family gatherings. Now that holiday celebrations are over, the demand for tests is expected to increase.

“It’s so convenient,” Mayor said. “A lot of people can get tested and you can bring your whole family at once so that’s a big plus.”

The most recent virus data doesn't cover the holidays, but it already shows numbers were up in some areas. UNC reported more than 300 COVID positive patients when a month ago, they had 80. While Duke Health shows the flu, RSV and other respiratory viruses were trending downward -- COVID, took a sharp increase.

With numbers remaining high, Wake County leaders are also partnering with Optum Health to open even more sites like this, particularly on the weekends.

“We are working with both Mako and with Optum to set up as many sites as we have hosts for,” said Wake County Health and Human Services Population Health Director Lechelle Wardell.

Wardell “We have been working with areas that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID,” Wardell said. “We wanted to again make that accessible to folks who may not have accessibility otherwise to get tested.”

Anyone is welcome to get a test. Pre-registration is available online or upon arriving at one of the sites.

“If you’re already pre-registered, it takes less than two minutes. If you need to register on site, it takes five minutes,” Mayor said.

Here is the schedule for Wake County drive-thru COVID-19 and flu testing:

• Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday: Solid Rock Ministries at 401 Creech Road in Raleigh
• Noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday: The Salvation Army at 1863 Capital Blvd. in Raleigh
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday: Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church at 200 High Meadow Drive in Cary
• Noon to 5 p.m. Friday: Solid Rock Ministries at 401 Creech Road in Raleigh