GREENSBORO, N.C. — Most of us want more businesses like salons and gyms to reopen, but they can’t until North Carolina reaches phase two of the reopening process.
Gov. Roy Cooper emphasized that phase 2 hinges upon positive data trends.
The North Carolina State Health Department released its new numbers around 11 a.m. Thursday. The case numbers grew by almost 700 statewide. More deaths were also reported. The percentage of positive cases stayed flat at 7.5 percent, even as counties ramped up testing.
As of Thursday morning’s report, there were 16,507 positive coronavirus cases. The total includes more than 9,000 recoveries and the state’s 615 deaths.
More than 500 people were hospitalized, which is 90 less than Wednesday.
Focusing on counties, Forsyth County added more than 50 cases for the third day in a row.
Surry County saw a 15-case uptick, as the county starts processing the results of Monday's mass testing.
Guilford County added 35 new positive cases, for a total of 705. For the third day, at least one Guilford County resident died of COVID-19 making the county’s death toll 45.
