ROCKINGHAM — Daily COVID case numbers continue to rise as the Health Department reports another death attributed to the coronavirus.
The latest death, announced just after 3 p.m. Tuesday, makes the second reported in 2022 and the 10th since Dec. 1, and brings the county’s pandemic total to 161.
Last year, 23 deaths were reported in each January and August, 13 in February and 11 in September.
The county’s first COVID-related death was reported in April 2020, soon after the first cases.
According to the Health Department, the updated race and gender breakdown is as follows: 24 African American females, 27 African American males, three “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, three Hispanic males, two American Indian males, 51 Caucasian females and 48 Caucasian males.
Those who have died range in age: 38 have been 80 or older; 40 have been in their 70s; 43 in their 60s; 26 in their 50s; nine in their 40s; and five in their 20s or 30s.
North Carolina has recorded a total of 19,494 COVID-related deaths, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Of the county’s deaths, 129 have been at a hospital, 25 have passed away in another healthcare facility and seven have died outside of a health setting.
Based on previous reports, the latest death appears to be that of a Caucasian woman in her 50s who was in a hospital.
COVID-related hospitalizations have been rising sharply over the past week, breaking 3,000 for the first time since late September.
NCDHHS reported 3,008 people were in hospitals across the state on Monday, compared to 3,010 on Sept. 28 — which was down from 3,815 on Sept. 8.
The Health Department also reported 97 new cases on Tuesday, making the six-day average 71.5 per day.
With classes back in session, Richmond County Schools updated its COVID Tracker on Tuesday showing 51 new cases.
Thirty-four of the cases involved students: 10 at Richmond Senior High School; five each at Monroe Avenue and Washington Street Elementary and Ninth Grade Academy; three at Rockingham Middle; two at Mineral Springs Elementary; and one at Hamlet Middle.
So far this school year, there have been 495 students to test positive for COVID, including
115 at Richmond Senior, 56 at NGA, 46 at Hamlet Middle and 40 at Rockingham Middle.
All other schools have had fewer than 40 cases. Ashley Chapel Educational Center has only had two students to test positive.
As for the latest staff cases, there are: four each at Richmond Senior and Washington Street; two each at L.J. Bell and Mineral Springs Elementary and Hamlet and Rockingham Middle; and one at West Rockingham Elementary.
There have been a total of 122 staff members to test positive for COVID, including: 16 at Richmond Senior; 14 at Fairview Heights Elementary; 13 at Washington Street; 11 at Mineral Springs; and 10 each at L.J. Bell Elementary and in Central Services.
After peaking at a record high of more than 19,000 on Jan. 1, statewide case numbers have been lower in recent days, dropping to 10,276 on Tuesday, according to NCDHHS.
FirstHealth reported Tuesday that 74 of its 404 patients (18.3%) were COVID positive.
Scotland Health Care System amended its visitation policy on Monday, but there has been no word yet from FirstHealth.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper and Health Secretary Kody Kinsley continued to urge North Carolinians to get vaccinated.
“For people who have been vaccinated and especially for those who have gotten boosters, the new Omicron variant has been less severe than previous surges,” said Cooper. “With these vaccines and boosters we have an amazing tool to save people’s lives and beat this pandemic – and we’ll keep our foot on the gas when it comes to getting more shots and more boosters administered.”
The governor also said he plans to extend Executive Order 224, enacted in late July, which requires vaccines or testing for state employees in cabinet agencies.
Cooper and Kinsley also encouraged the use of higher-grade masks to prevent the spread of COVID.
“Testing and wearing a mask are essential tools in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Secretary Kinsley said. “But the bottom line is that vaccines and boosters are the number one thing you can do to protect your health.”
Vaccines are authorized for those aged 5 and older and boosters for those as young as 16. According to Cooper’s office, the FDA has approved boosters for children 12-15, but the CDC has yet to take action.
Also according to the governor’s office:
“Today the CDC accepted the FDA recommendation to shorten the time for a Pfizer booster to five months after the second shot. The CDC also recommended a third dose after 28 days for immunocompromised children ages 5-11.”
NCDHHS records show that 59% of the state’s entire population is fully vaccinated. The Health Department reported Tuesday that 20,633 residents are vaccinated.
COVID vaccinations and boosters are available at the Health Department from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Monday-Thursday 8-5, and 8-11 a.m. on Fridays with no appointment needed.
