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North Carolina COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise.

Since Jan. 5, when the state set a new record for daily cases above 2,000, cases have continued record-setting numbers.

Across the state, new cases totaled 28,474 on Jan.7, an increase of 3,718 cases from the day before.

Hospitalizations increased by 176 more patients to total 3,474 patients.

The Outer Banks Hospital is caring for COVID-19 patients. About half the hospital capacity is filled with coronavirus patients.

On a week-to-week basis, hospital administrators are postponing elective procedures that require an overnight stay. This week, a couple of procedures were delayed. The administrative move frees a bed for a COVID patient or someone with a medical emergency.

Amy Montgomery, senior administrator of operations, explained that “in-patient bed capacity in the region is extremely tight.”

Hospital services continue, said Montgomery. In the 24 hours from Thursday, six babies were birthed at the hospital.

Mid-afternoon Friday, Jan. 7, North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services published a media release announcing a new Test-to-Stay option to keep students in school.

Under the Test-to-Stay option, a person exposed to COVID-19 should:

• Get tested the day they are notified of an exposure.
• Get tested again five days after the exposure (or as close to five days as possible).
• Wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.
• Except for attending school, stay home and avoid others.

In Dare County, more cases continue to be counted.

In four days, from Jan. 3 through Jan. 6, Dare County counted 600 new cases. Cumulative deaths remain at 26. Hospitalizations are 13. In Dare County, 74% of population has received one shot; 71% of population is fully vaccinated.

Northeast NC Region

Vaccination numbers come from the state’s COVID-19 Dashboard, unless noted otherwise.

Hyde County as of Jan. 7, 2022

Active cases: 47 residents. On Dec. 22, the count was eight.

Deaths: 14 residents. One more person has died.

Vaccinated: 74% one dose; 71% fully, a significant increase.

Tyrrell County as of Jan. 6, 2022

Active Cases: nine residents

Deaths: seven residents, remains same

Vaccinated: 50% one dose; 48% fully, from Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health.

Tyrrell House has a total of three active staff cases and 13 resident cases.

Currituck as of Jan. 7, 2022

Active cases: 70 residents

Deaths: 30 residents, an increase of three

Vaccinated: 45% one dose; 40% fully

Currituck House: 13 residents

Camden as of Jan. 7, 2022

Active Cases: 36 residents

Deaths: nine residents, remains same.

Vaccinated: 50% one dose, 49% fully

Pasquotank as of Jan. 7, 2022

Active Cases: 181 residents

Deaths: 117 residents, an increase of one death.

Vaccinated: 56% one dose; 50% fully.

Albemarle District Jail: two staff, nine residents

Citadel: two staff

Elizabeth City Health and Rehab: 23 staff, 40 residents, five deaths

Waterbrooke: six staff, two residents

School Districts:

Dare County Schools COVID-19 update, Jan. 4, 2022

Student total: 14 active cases; 24 quarantined

Cape Hatteras Elementary: two active cases; one quarantined

Cape Hatteras Secondary: two active cases; three quarantined

First Flight Elementary: no active cases; one quarantined

First Flight Middle: one active cases; two quarantined

First Flight High: no active cases; one quarantined

Kitty Hawk Elementary: one active case; five quarantined

Manteo Elementary: one active cases; four quarantined

Manteo Middle: three active cases; one quarantined

Manteo High School: one active case; one quarantined

Nags Head Elementary: three active cases; five quarantined

Staff: three active cases; three quarantined

Hyde County Schools: Jan. 4, 2022: Hyde reported one staff member and two students with active cases at Ocracoke; one staff member at Mattamuskeet Campus; one student at Mattamuskeet Elementary and three students with active cases at Mattamuskeet Early College; and one staff member last in school Dec. 17, 2021.

On Jan. 5, Hyde reported one staff member at Mattamuskeet Elementary.

Tyrrell County Schools: One active case for students and none for staff; six students quarantined on Jan. 4, 2022.

Currituck County Schools: No 2022 information available.

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