Counties with the lowest hospital bed capacity in North Carolina

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February 25, 2022
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Counties with the lowest hospital bed capacity in North Carolina

The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises the majority of cases in the U.S.

Researchers around the world have reported that Omicron is more transmissible than Delta, making breakthrough and repeat infections more likely. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death ratesâ€"especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.

The United States as of Feb. 24 reached 942,985 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 78.7 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 64.8% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 43.4% have received booster doses.

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the lowest in-patient bed capacity in North Carolina using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and vaccination data from Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the percent of in-patient hospital beds filled as of Feb. 23, with the percent of hospital beds filled by COVID-19 patients serving as a tiebreaker. Hospitalization data was available for about 77% of counties in the U.S. Keep reading to see what hospital capacity looks like in your county.

#50. Granville County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 71.0% (4.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 17.4% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 67.0% (28.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 23.9% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 245 (148 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.6% (37,206 fully vaccinated)
--- 1.3% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#49. Dare County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 71.0% (25.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 17.4% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 88% full in North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 189 (70 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 72.2% (26,732 fully vaccinated)
--- 18.8% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#48. Burke County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 72.0% (19.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 16.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 78.0% (33.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.4% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 422 (382 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.6% (41,240 fully vaccinated)
--- -25.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#47. Wayne County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 72.0% (19.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 16.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 88.0% (43.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 0.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 210 (259 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.3% (59,505 fully vaccinated)
--- -20.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#46. Pasquotank County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 73.0% (8.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 15.1% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 74.0% (11.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 15.9% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 266 (106 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (20,547 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.1% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#45. Chatham County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 73.0% (9.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 15.1% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 88% full in North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 161 (120 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.6% (43,620 fully vaccinated)
--- -3.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#44. New Hanover County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 75.0% (15.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 12.8% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 54.0% (21.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 38.6% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 215 (503 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.7% (147,107 fully vaccinated)
--- 3.1% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#43. Surry County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 77.0% (23.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 10.5% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 74.0% (30.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 15.9% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 389 (279 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (35,836 fully vaccinated)
--- -17.9% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#42. Carteret County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 78.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 9.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 66.0% (9.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 25.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 612 (425 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.0% (44,479 fully vaccinated)
--- 5.3% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#41. Rockingham County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 78.0% (18.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 9.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 71.0% (20.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 19.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 231 (210 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.2% (45,683 fully vaccinated)
--- -17.4% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#40. Guilford County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 78.0% (11.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 9.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 84.0% (18.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.5% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 229 (1,228 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.2% (323,557 fully vaccinated)
--- -1.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#39. Randolph County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 79.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 8.1% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 80.0% (21.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 9.1% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 191 (275 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.3% (62,191 fully vaccinated)
--- -28.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#38. Nash County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 80.0% (7.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 82.0% (17.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 6.8% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 125 (118 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.7% (53,426 fully vaccinated)
--- -6.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#37. Forsyth County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 80.0% (7.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 88.0% (10.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 0.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 210 (804 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.7% (232,211 fully vaccinated)
--- -0.2% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#36. Davie County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 80.0% (9.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 88% full in North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 359 (154 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.7% (24,282 fully vaccinated)
--- -6.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#35. Montgomery County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 80.0% (18.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 88% full in North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 261 (71 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.1% (11,703 fully vaccinated)
--- -29.1% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#34. Martin County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 81.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 5.8% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 69.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 21.6% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 125 (28 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (10,902 fully vaccinated)
--- -20.1% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#33. Lenoir County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 81.0% (17.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 5.8% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 82.0% (44.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 6.8% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 236 (132 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (30,386 fully vaccinated)
--- -10.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#32. Harnett County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 81.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 5.8% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 92.0% (43.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.5% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 418 (568 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.3% (57,484 fully vaccinated)
--- -30.4% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#31. Alleghany County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 81.0% (48.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 5.8% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 88% full in North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 368 (41 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.3% (6,376 fully vaccinated)
--- -5.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#30. Cherokee County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 82.0% (41.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 0.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 100.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 304 (87 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.7% (13,083 fully vaccinated)
--- -24.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#29. Mecklenburg County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 82.0% (9.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 88.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 0.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 249 (2,767 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.5% (693,594 fully vaccinated)
--- 2.8% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#28. Wake County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 82.0% (13.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 91.0% (24.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 3.4% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 234 (2,601 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 72.4% (805,420 fully vaccinated)
--- 19.1% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#27. Union County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 82.0% (19.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 99.0% (25.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 12.5% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 281 (675 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (130,947 fully vaccinated)
--- -10.2% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#26. Cleveland County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 82.0% (19.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 99.0% (32.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 12.5% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 469 (459 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (48,701 fully vaccinated)
--- -18.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#25. Bertie County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 82.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 88% full in North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 90 (17 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (10,024 fully vaccinated)
--- -13.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#24. Durham County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 83.0% (12.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 3.5% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 95.0% (22.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 8.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 256 (822 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 70.0% (224,912 fully vaccinated)
--- 15.1% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#23. Buncombe County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 84.0% (9.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 2.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 82.0% (17.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 6.8% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 366 (955 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.6% (171,393 fully vaccinated)
--- 7.9% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#22. Johnston County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 84.0% (17.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 2.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 83.0% (29.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 5.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 444 (929 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (111,219 fully vaccinated)
--- -12.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#21. Orange County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 84.0% (12.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 2.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 87.0% (22.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 1.1% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 229 (340 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 75.5% (112,119 fully vaccinated)
--- 24.2% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina

#20. Cumberland County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 84.0% (13.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 2.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 89.0% (18.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 1.1% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 264 (885 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.1% (198,230 fully vaccinated)
--- -2.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#19. Moore County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 85.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 1.2% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 83.0% (30.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 5.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 201 (203 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.4% (57,913 fully vaccinated)
--- -5.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#18. Hertford County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 85.0% (17.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 1.2% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 88.0% (40.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 0.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 106 (25 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.8% (11,085 fully vaccinated)
--- -23.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#17. Gaston County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 86.0% (22.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 0.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 67.0% (29.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 23.9% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 324 (727 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.3% (110,706 fully vaccinated)
--- -18.9% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#16. Catawba County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 86.0% (18.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 0.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 84.0% (38.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.5% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 298 (476 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (84,966 fully vaccinated)
--- -12.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#15. Chowan County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 87.0% (22.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 1.2% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 100.0% (25.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 13.6% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 186 (26 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.5% (7,744 fully vaccinated)
--- -8.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#14. Cabarrus County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 89.0% (15.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 3.5% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 88.0% (26.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 0.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 222 (480 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.7% (118,452 fully vaccinated)
--- -10.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#13. Sampson County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 92.0% (14.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 86.0% (20.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 2.3% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 312 (198 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (32,252 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.4% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#12. Scotland County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 92.0% (13.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 90.0% (35.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 2.3% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 204 (71 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (16,941 fully vaccinated)
--- -20.1% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#11. Columbus County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 92.0% (21.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 92.0% (15.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.5% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 270 (150 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.8% (23,746 fully vaccinated)
--- -29.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#10. Caldwell County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 92.0% (23.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 96.0% (38.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 9.1% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 291 (239 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.9% (38,535 fully vaccinated)
--- -22.9% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#9. Duplin County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 92.0% (27.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 98.0% (48.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.4% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 751 (441 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.5% (26,734 fully vaccinated)
--- -25.2% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#8. Pitt County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 94.0% (14.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 9.3% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 78.0% (17.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.4% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 279 (505 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (95,012 fully vaccinated)
--- -13.5% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#7. Beaufort County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 95.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 10.5% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 100.0% (44.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 13.6% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 285 (134 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.0% (25,381 fully vaccinated)
--- -11.2% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#6. Onslow County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 96.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.6% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 73.0% (27.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 17.0% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 340 (673 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.0% (118,838 fully vaccinated)
--- -1.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#5. Pender County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 96.0% (21.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.6% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 88% full in North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 270 (170 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (32,098 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#4. Edgecombe County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 98.0% (6.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 14.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 83.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 5.7% more availability than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 161 (83 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.7% (24,054 fully vaccinated)
--- -23.2% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#3. Watauga County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 98.0% (23.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 14.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 95.0% (23.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 8.0% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 390 (219 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.7% (31,308 fully vaccinated)
--- -8.4% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#2. Polk County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 99.0% (38.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 15.1% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 100.0% (74.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 13.6% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 164 (34 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.7% (8,843 fully vaccinated)
--- -29.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

#1. Lee County, NC

- Inpatient beds occupied: 100.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 16.3% more full than North Carolina overall
- ICU beds occupied: 100.0% (45.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 13.6% more full than North Carolina overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 215 (133 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (33,449 fully vaccinated)
--- -11.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina

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