ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department has announced another COVID-related death for the second consecutive day.
Health and Human Services Director Dr. Tommy Jarrell said Tuesday morning that his department was notified of the county’s 15th death connected to the coronavirus.
“Please join us with your thoughts and prayers for this family today during this time of their loss,” Jarrell said in a statement.
The unnamed patient died Sunday, he said, but didn’t say where. Most patients have died in a hospital, except for one, who died at a congregate living facility in the county.
According to Jarrell, the 15 patients have ranged in age from 31 to 95.
Of those, Jarrell said there have been two African American females, three African American males, five Caucasian females and five Caucasian males.
Judging by Monday’s statement announcing the 14th death and giving a race and gender background for those who lost their lives, it appears the latest victim is a Caucasian female.
The county’s first death attributed to COVID-19 was reported on April 10; the second was on April 17; the third on May 30; the fourth on June 8; the fifth on June 11; the sixth on June 29; the seventh on June 30; the eighth on July 21; the ninth on Aug. 2; the 10th on Aug. 27; the 11th on Aug. 28; the 12th on Aug. 13; and the 13th on Sept. 11.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported Monday that there had been 3,060 COVID-related deaths statewide.
So far, there have been 182 positive cases in September, for an average of 13 per day. By comparison, there were 200 cases for the entire month of July (6.5 per diem average) and 210 in August (6.7 average).
When new cases peaked at 31 one day last week, Jarrell said there were currently no outbreaks at any one location and that the latest cases were “coming from all different directions.”
“Some people are not taking it seriously enough,” Jarrell said, adding that some who test positive or are supposed to be under quarantine aren’t staying home, both in Richmond County and across the state and nation.
He encourages residents to practice social distancing, wear facial coverings in public and to stay home if they’re positive or under quarantine.
“That would help a lot, but there are so many people not doing that,” Jarrell said.
