NORTH CAROLINA (WBTV) – North Carolina is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, mirroring a national trend.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the state has seen increases in wastewater surveillance, COVID-19 test positivity rates, and emergency department visits for COVID-like illnesses.

Charts showing these trends can be found in the NC Respiratory Virus Database.

These findings align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report indicating high COVID-19 activity levels in nearly 40 states. Emergency room visits related to the virus have reached their highest point since February.

So what should people do to stay safe?

“We are in a different place with COVID-19 than we were during the pandemic,” wrote an NCDHHS spokesperson. While emphasizing that severe illness is less common due to increased immunity and vaccinations, the department recommends several precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus.

These precautions include practicing good hygiene, staying home when sick, and considering mask-wearing for at least five days after testing positive. Both the DHHS and CDC say that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe complications from COVID-19.

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