Source: Keely Arthur, WRAL, 12/6/21

 More than 8,500 new coronavirus infections were reported in North Carolina since Friday, an 84 percent jump from the first weekend in November. The state has reported 2,980 infections a day over the last week, up 77 percent from the previous week. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 also is soaring, topping 1,300 for the first time since Oct. 29. Only 20 percent of hospital beds statewide are available, and the figure drops to 16 percent for intensive care unit beds.

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