Special to Iredell Free News

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) estimates that 9,115 people in the state who tested positive for COVID-19 are likely to have recovered from their symptoms. This data along with information about how it is calculated is posted on the COVID-19 Dashboard and will be updated weekly.

To calculate this number, NCDHHS estimates the median time for recovery from symptoms to be 14 days from the date of specimen collection for non-fatal COVID-19 cases who were not hospitalized or if hospitalization status is unknown, or 28 days for hospitalized non-fatal COVID-19 cases.

There have been 15,816 laboratory-confirmed cases in the state. Some 597 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 in North Carolina, and 521 people are currently hospitalized.

Patients’ actual recovery times could be shorter or longer depending on the severity of illness. This interval was chosen based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidance, and in consultation with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state health departments. This estimates how many people have recovered from their symptoms. It does not estimate how many cases are or are not still infectious.

Staying home is still the best way to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect North Carolinians. When going out, remember the 3 Ws: Wear a face covering. Wait at least six feet apart. Wash your hands often with soap and water.