New cases of COVID-19 are once again on the upswing. North Carolina's number of new cases increased by 7.7% last week. On Wednesday, the NCDHHS reported 2,318 new cases. The positivity rate for tests for the disease remain just over the targeted 5%. It was 5.9% on Wdnesday.

The average number of new cases daily for the last 14 days had increased again in the latest report from the Lincoln County Health Dept. as shown in its COVID SNAPSHOT #43 released Wednesday. OVer the previous 14 days, it was 24.9, up from 23.7 the previous week. During November 11 more Lincoln Countians have died from the virus, bringing the total to 125.

Gaston County reported 465 new cases last week, compared to 349 the week before.

While the number of new cases daily increased in other area counties, that was not true in Catawba County.  Catawba County's number of new cases in the week that ended Wednesday was 182, the lowest number in a week since late July.

Across the country, 39 states saw an increase in the number of new cases.

The mortality rate among those who had been fully vaccinated (not necessarily including any booster shot) dipped again in the latest report from the CDC.  One British journal estimates the likelihood of dying from the virus as 11 times greater among the unvaccinated as compared to the fully vaccinated based on data showing deaths from the disease.