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The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina continued to rise from 1,510 on Tuesday to 1,646 Wednesday. There have been 14 deaths in the state attributed to the virus.

In a Beaufort County, there were eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Three of the eight confirmed cases have recovered from COVID-19. Five cases remain active, according to the Wednesday update from Beaufort County’s Office of Emergency Services.

The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. went from 181,099 on Tuesday to 206,204 on Wednesday; this does not include the 8,413 people in the U.S. known to have recovered from COVID-19. The U.S. has the greatest number of cases worldwide, and there are likely many more cases as those exhibiting symptoms are now being encouraged to stay home rather than get tested. Nationwide, 4,542 deaths have been attributed to the virus, an increase of 936 overnight. Five percent of all active cases are considered serious, requiring hospitalization — down from 19% in February, 11% of all U.S. cases have been considered serious, requiring hospitalization.

North Carolina has confirmed cases in 81 counties.

Of Beaufort County’s total of eight cases, contact tracing of these known, confirmed cases has concluded:

• one case has been contributed to direct contact with a known patient from another county;
• one case was related to travel to a known outbreak area;
• four cases are attributed to community spread;
• two cases are still under investigation.

All active cases are self-isolating, the update reads.

Eastern North Carolina counties with current cases include: Bertie (6), Beaufort (5), Brunswick (16), Carteret (12), Camden (1), Chowan (1), Columbus (4), Craven (7), Currituck (1); Dare (2), Duplin (1), Edgecombe (3), Greene (4), Halifax (6), Hertford (4), Lenoir (3), New Hanover (34), Northampton (30), Onslow (7), Pamlico (1), Pasquotank (4), Perquimans (1), Pitt (27), Sampson (1), Washington (2), Wayne (5) and Wilson (15). Durham (122), Mecklenburg (420) and Wake (186) counties have the most cases.

“There have been 104 tests completed in Beaufort County to date, with 80 negatives, six positives and 18 pending. (These are cumulative numbers and includes test performed at the Health Department and private medical facilities throughout our county.). Two of our positive cases were tested in other counties,” reads the update from Chris Newkirk, deputy director of Beaufort County Emergency Services.

Beaufort County Health Department will no longer provide community testing due to limited supplies. Medical providers in the county can conduct the COVID-19 test, however, anyone exhibiting symptoms is urged to call their provider and isolate themselves from others, and not seek out medical attention unless experiencing severe symptoms.

“There is currently no cure or vaccine for COVID-19. Treatments are specific to the symptoms experienced by the individual and may range depending on severity. For example, over-the-counter medicines may be an effective treatment for fever, cough, body aches, etc. in some individuals. Others may require the services and treatments provided by a trained medical professional,” the update reads.