For months, the number of COVID-19 patients in North Carolina hospitals dropped and stayed at the lowest levels they’ve been since the pandemic began. 

But in recent weeks, the number of COVID patients in the hospital has been growing again, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. For the week ending June 24, there were 117 people with COVID reported in North Carolina’s hospitals. Last week, there were 267 reported.

“We expect COVID-19 trends to rise and fall. While the public health emergency in response to COVID-19 has ended, COVID-19 is still with us and we expect it to continue to be with us,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Tilson. 

Wastewater monitoring, which tests for the virus in water treatment plants, also shows the number of COVID cases in the state increasing, according to DHHS data. Wastewater monitoring has become one of the primary ways public health officials keep track of the virus. The COVID levels in wastewater often go up before increases in cases and hospitalizations.

“Some people, including older people, people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19,” Tilson said. “Fortunately, we have the tools for people to protect themselves and each other.”

Those tools include easy access to vaccines and new treatments. There are also easy steps, like wearing a mask, washing hands and staying home when sick that can help stop the spread of the virus. And despite the increase, the numbers are still low compared to earlier points in the pandemic.

“It does not seem to be a rise for concern at this point,” Dr. Jordan Gerber said.

Gerber said he encourages his patients to follow trends like this but not to panic.

“We still are receiving calls about vaccines and vaccine recommendations,” he said. 

Customers lean on the advice of pharmacists, like the staff at Medicap Pharmacy in North Raleigh, as much as any other medical expert in their lives.

“We really try to take every opportunity to engage with our patients in-store when we can,” he said. “In general, good health hygiene helps protect against a broad host of respiratory illnesses.”

The pharmacist believes little reminders and hearing customers out gives them peace of mind.

“I think most importantly has just been, having the accessibility of having somebody, like a health care professional that you can call up without an appointment or come to stop in and talk to get good evidence-based recommendations,” Gerber said.

Although free at-home COVID testing has gone away, Gerber recommends checking what your insurance company will or won’t cover. Some pharmacies may be able to provide tests at no cost.