NC sees several key COVID metrics dip for first time in months

COVID-related hospital admissions, ER visits and wastewater particles are all trending down for the first time since June, according to state data that was released Wednesday.

Among emergency department visits for respiratory viruses, those experiencing "COVID-like" symptoms dropped to 4.7% last week after being at 4.8% the previous week.

There were 623 patients with COVID-19 admitted to North Carolina hospitals last week, a drop from the 638 the previous week. That's about a 2% drop and consistent with where the state was in early March.

Respiratory illnesses are making up a smaller percentage of emergency department visits, under 8%. While visits COVID-like issues decreased, flu-like symptoms went up. A good reminder to get both vaccines.

Wastewater dropped 11.4% after steadily increasing. Still higher than our January numbers though. So a good sign that it's going down but we aren't in the clear just yet.

Complete data can be found through the state's COVID dashboard.