About the Data

Just like the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Wake County is monitoring four sets of criteria in 14-day periods.

They are the trajectory of:

• Cases with COVID-like symptoms;
• Positive COVID-19 cases confirmed each day by a lab;
• The percentage of tests that were positive out of all tests administered; and
• The hospitalizations of COVID-19-positive patients.

This way, we can detect any upward trends in our community, which would inform any corrective actions we may want to consider. We use data to guide our decision-making process, so we can do what’s best for the health and safety of our 1.1-million residents.

PLEASE NOTE: The first of the following charts is updated weekly. The additional three charts are updated weekdays at noon with a one-day lag.

The first chart shows the trajectory of cases in Wake County with COVID-like symptoms.

The second graph shows the trajectory of positive COVID-19 cases each day in Wake County that are confirmed by a lab.

Out of all the tests given for the virus, we’re looking at the percentage that were positive, which is illustrated in the third graph.

The fourth graph looks at the number of hospitalizations of COVID-19-positive patients in Wake County.

We use all these indicators to give us a more complete picture of the COVID-19 situation in our community. As we monitor them, we can adjust the restrictions in place, if we see shifts in the wrong direction, to control the spread of the virus and keep our community safe.