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The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina continued to rise from 3,730 Thursday to 3,963 on Friday. There have been 83 deaths in the state attributed to the virus and 423 hospitalizations. According to Beaufort County Health Department Director Jim Madson, four of those hospitalizations have been Beaufort County COVID-19 cases. Two of those cases remain hospitalized, and two have been released.

In Beaufort County, there were 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday. Six of the 12 confirmed cases have recovered from COVID-19. Six cases remain active, according to the Friday update from Beaufort County’s Office of Emergency Services.

The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. rose from 454,304 Thursday to 486,994 on Friday; these numbers include the 27,612 people in the U.S. known to have recovered from COVID-19. The U.S. has the greatest number of cases worldwide, and there are likely many more cases as those exhibiting symptoms are now being encouraged to stay home rather than get tested. Nationwide, 18,022 deaths have been attributed to the virus, an increase of 1,755 overnight. Five percent of all active cases are considered serious, requiring hospitalization, down from 19% in February; 11% of all U.S. cases have been considered serious, requiring hospitalization.

North Carolina has confirmed cases in 93 counties.

Of Beaufort County’s total of 12 cases, contact tracing of these known, confirmed cases has concluded:

• one case has been contributed to direct contact with a known patient from another county;
• two cases were related to travel to a known outbreak area;
• seven cases are attributed to community spread;
• two are still under investigation.
• All active cases are self-isolating, the update reads.

Eastern North Carolina counties with current cases include: Bertie (12), Beaufort (12), Bladen (1), Brunswick (30), Carteret (20), Camden (1), Chowan (2), Columbus (20), Craven (22), Currituck (3); Dare (13), Duplin (12), Edgecombe (18), Gates (4), Greene (10), Halifax (20), Hertford (5), Jones (3), Lenoir (14), Martin (5), New Hanover (54), Northampton (57), Onslow (28), Pamlico (4), Pasquotank (11), Pender (4), Perquimans (3), Pitt (60), Sampson (10), Washington (13), Wayne (52) and Wilson (47). Durham (243), Mecklenburg (861) and Wake (385) counties have the most cases in North Carolina.

Cases of COVID-19 are now projected to peak on April 13. However, Madson said the peak period for the virus could last several weeks.

There have been 135 tests completed in Beaufort County as of Friday, with 118 negatives, 10 positives and seven pending. These are cumulative numbers and include tests performed at the health department and reporting private medical facilities through the county. Two of Beaufort County’s positive cases were tested in other counties.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website, there have been 57,645 COVID-19 tests completed statewide as of Friday.

“If you have fever and cough and other symptoms of respiratory illness, even if it is not from COVID-19, you should isolate yourself as if you have COVID-19. This will reduce the risk of making the people around you sick,” the update from BCES and BCHD reads.

It is recommended that those exhibiting symptoms call their primary health care provider. If symptoms are severe, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion or blue lips, then call a doctor or 911 right away, the update states.