NC COVID-19 Update: 7,187 New Cases, 139 Deaths Reported

CHARLOTTE, NC — North Carolina reported 7,187 new coronavirus cases, increasing the total of known cases in the state to more than 698,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

At least 139 COVID-19 deaths were reported in the state since Wednesday, DHHS said. As of Jan. 21, at least 8,339 state residents had lost their lives to the virus since March.

Hospitalizations fell throughout the state to 3,666 patients, 74 fewer patients than reported the day prior. Despite the slight dip in hospitalizations, the spread of coronavirus continues to stress hospital resources around the state. As of Thursday, 364 staffed intensive care unit beds and 4,675 staffed inpatient beds remained empty in the state, DHHS said.

SEE ALSO: Here's How Many In North Carolina Have Been Vaccinated For COVID-19

In a news conference Thursday, DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said that the limited supply of COVID vaccine sent to North Carolina meant that it would be several months until most in the state will have access to a vaccine.

"We cannot take our eye off the ball when it comes to prevention and slowing the spread of COVID-19," Cohen said. "Please stay home and only leave your home for essential activities, like work, school or to meet your healthcare needs."

As of Wednesday, Jan. 20, at least 573,130 doses of vaccine had been administered throughout the state, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data. Of that tally, about 424,000 were first doses of the vaccine and about 76,000 were second doses completing the series. Nearly 73,000 doses of vaccine had been administered in long-term care facilities.

About 220,000 state residents 65-years-old or older have received their first doses, while fewer than 5,000 in the age bracket have received their full course of vaccine, according to DHHS data.

While supplies are limited, vaccination rates in North Carolina are improving, Cohen said. North Carolina's vaccination rate is the 10th highest in the country, she said, adding that the rate of vaccination in the past two weeks is nearly three times that of the two weeks prior.

"Our goal is to make sure we are using up all the vaccine that is coming to our state before the next shipment comes so that we can be demonstrating to the federal government that we are using our vaccine effectively and efficiently here in North Carolina," Cohen said.

This article originally appeared on the Charlotte Patch