NC sets new records for COVID deaths and hospitalized patients Josh Shaffer, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) Dec. 16—RALEIGH — For the third-straight day Wednesday, North Carolina reached a new high for patients hospitalized with COVID-19, further stressing the state's medical workers. The state Department of Health and Human Services reported 451,874 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 5,273 from Tuesday's total. Another 98 people have been reported dead of the virus since Tuesday — also a state single-day record. DHHS also reported 2,811 patients are now recuperating from the virus in hospitals statewide, up 76 from Tuesday. A week ago Wednesday, that total stood at 2,440 patients, meaning the pandemic has filled nearly 400 more North Carolina hospital beds since then.