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More COVID-19 cases in North Carolina were confirmed Saturday, as the numbers rose from 171 cases at 5 p.m. Friday to 246 cases at 5 p.m. Saturday. On Thursday, there were no deaths in North Carolina caused by the coronavirus.

The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. went from 17,402 confirmed cases Friday to 24,148 confirmed cases Saturday; 285 deaths are attributed to the virus nationwide. Five percent of all active cases are considered serious, requiring hospitalization — down from 19% three weeks ago, according to Beaufort County’s Office of Emergency Services.

In North Carolina, COVID-19 in confirmed present in 35 counties, with 0 deaths attributed to the disease.

Eastern NC counties with current cases include: Brunswick (2), Carteret (3), Camden (1), Craven (2), New Hanover (1), Hyde (1), Onslow (3), Pitt (2) Sampson (1), Wayne (1) and Wilson (3). Durham (37), Mecklenburg (41) and Wake (33) counties have the most cases. These persons continue to be monitored by local Health Department personnel.

On Saturday, cases were confirmed in Brunswick (2), Carteret (3), Camden (1), Craven (2), New Hanover (1), Onslow (3), Pitt (2), Sampson (1), Wayne (1) and Wilson (3) counties in eastern North Carolina. Durham County (37) and Wake County (33) have the most cases in North Carolina. These persons continue to be monitored by local Health Department personnel.

Another case was confirmed in Hyde County, but according to Hyde County government, though this person has a residence in Hyde County, he or she was tested and is in isolation in another county.

On Saturday, Beaufort County had no confirmed cases. Beaufort County Public Health has tested 20 people for COVID-19, according to the most recent update from Beaufort County Emergency Services. Eleven tests were negative. Saturday, the BCPH was awaiting results on the other nine tests. Tests results currently take about 48 hours.

“North Carolina health officials have attributed eight cases to ‘community spread’ (in)  Forsyth (1), Onslow (1) and Wilson (1). Locations of the remaining five are forthcoming. … Announcements of cases attributed to ‘community spread’ will continue for the foreseeable future,” the Saturday update from Beaufort County Emergency Services reads. “This is a normal and expected progression of communicable disease pandemics such as COVID-19. However, frequent hand washing and continuing to practice social distancing is the best way to fight community spread.

Areas with high population densities such as Wake, Durham and Mecklenburg counties will continue to experience the greatest concentration of outbreaks, with their neighboring counties being the next highest. This too is an expected trend and is now evident by reviewing the (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) state map tracker.