Local Covid Cases, Hospitalizations Rise; Deaths Decline
CHARLOTTE, NC – Pandemic key metrics are hitting record highs this week as cases and hospitalizations rise. Meanwhile, people dying from Covid is on the decline, according to health officials.
Health leaders say hospitals are struggling to keep up, meanwhile small businesses are finding it difficult to keep their doors open.
The Bag Lady gift store in plaza Midwood was back open on Friday after being closed for five days.
βWe had so many employees testing positive,β said Susan Burns, the storeβs owner.
She says about half of her employees have contracted Covid in the last two weeks.
βWeβll be worried about them of course, luckily theyβre all recovering and doing much better, still itβs really scary,β said Burns.
She says keeping the business running has been challenging.
βItβs scary, the unpredictability is really difficult and staffing is really difficult when you lose almost half your staff,β said Burns.
Many business owners are experiencing similar situations as more and more people in Mecklenburg county test positive for Covid.
βWe are feeling the strain and the stress of this current surge,β said Dr. Raynard Washington, the Mecklenburg County health Director.
Mecklenburg county reported 2300 new cases in the last week. Hospitalizations are also rising fast.
βOur teams have loved you calling them heroes, but theyβre tired and they need some relief,β said Dr. Sid Fletcher with Novant Health.
Dr. Fletcher says nearly 90% of the cases needing hospitalization are people who are unvaccinated.
βWe know that telling you to get a vaccine doesnβt work so I’m just going to say, weβre begging you , please get vaccinated if you have not been vaccinated. Itβs critical,β said Dr. Fletcher.
