COVID-19 hospitalizations hit new record-high in North Carolina

North Carolina reached a new record-high for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Tuesday, hitting a level not seen for a year.

The state Department of Health and Human Services reported 3,991 people in hospitals statewide, passing the mark set on Jan. 14, 2021 by one patient.

In the past month, as the omicron variant has quickly spread throughout the state, NC hospitals have seen their COVID-19 caseloads more than double.

DHHS reported 17,705 new confirmed cases since Monday.

The death toll from the pandemic reached 19,706, increasing by 21.

The rate of positive tests stood at 30.5%, down slightly from Monday but still more than six times the level state health officials have sought.

This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 1:46 PM with the headline "COVID-19 hospitalizations hit new record-high in North Carolina."