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North Carolina health officials now say there are 504 cases of coronavirus across the state, an increase from the 398 cases on Tuesday. The number of cases has steadily moved up since North Carolina announced its first case on March 3.

The increase in cases can be connected to the expansion of testing – which occurs at N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health as well as hospitals and commercial labs.

The state said a total of 10,489 tests have been completed – close to 2,000 additional tests as compared to Tuesday.

Durham, Mecklenburg and Pitt County has announced “stay-at-home” orders, restricting movement by the public except for essential jobs and tasks related to health and food.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first COVID-19 death, a person from Cabarrus County who died on Tuesday. Officials said, the patient was in their late seventies and had several underlying medical conditions.

In Mecklenburg County, a little more than half of the patients were ages 20-39.

Anyone with mild symptoms is told to stay at home and call their doctor so testing and medical supplies go to those who are high risk.

Written by Clarke Jones

Source: WNCT