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The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina continued to rise from 322 Sunday at 5 p.m. to 331 cases Monday at 5 p.m. As of Monday evening, there were 11 hospitalizations in North Carolina caused by COVID-19. There have been no deaths in the state attributed to the virus.

The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. went 32,644 cases Sunday to 41,708 cases on Monday; 573 deaths are attributed to the virus nationwide. Five percent of all active cases are considered serious, requiring hospitalization — down from 19% three weeks ago, according to Beaufort County’s Office of Emergency Services.

Eastern NC counties with current cases include: Brunswick (7), Carteret (5), Camden (1), Chowan (1), Craven (2), New Hanover (4), Onslow (3), Pasquotank (1), Pitt (6), Sampson (1), Wayne (1) and Wilson (3). Durham (41), Mecklenburg (97) and Wake (52) counties have the most cases. These persons continue to be monitored by local health department personnel.

Another case was thought to be confirmed in Hyde County on Saturday, but according to Hyde County government, though this person has a residence in Hyde County, he or she was tested and is in isolation in another county.

On Monday, Beaufort County had no confirmed cases. Beaufort County Public Health has tested 26 people for COVID-19, according to the most recent update from Beaufort County Emergency Services. Twenty-two tests were negative. Monday, BCPH was awaiting results on the other four tests. Tests results currently take between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the demand at the laboratory being used.

Eight cases in the state have been attributed to community spread, including cases in Onslow and Wilson counties. Gov. Roy Cooper announced Monday that gatherings will be limited to less than 50 people starting Wednesday at 5 p.m. Public access will also be restricted to Beaufort County government buildings starting Tuesday morning. Guidance for conducting business with various department will be posted at each building and can be found online at co.beaufort.nc.us/.

“This is a normal and expected progression of communicable disease pandemics such as COVID-19. However, frequent hand washing and continuing to practice social distancing is the best way to fight community spread,” reads the update.