ROCKINGHAM — While statewide COVID-19 case numbers have risen slightly in the past few days, Richmond County reported the lowest since the early days of the pandemic.
In Friday’s update, the Health Department reported only one case. While there have been several days with only two new cases, the last day with fewer reported was July 29 with none. Nine cases were reported on Wednesday and three on Thursday.
As fewer residents test positive and more recover, the number of active cases has dropped to 41 — a statistic the county hasn’t seen since May 5.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 1,998 cases on Friday, after seeing a low of 997 earlier in the week.
Hospitalizations also continue to drop both locally and across the state.
According to DHHS records, there were 1,037 North Carolinians hospitalized with the coronavirus on Thursday, down from 2,377 on Feb. 8. There were only two Richmond County residents admitted on Friday.
FirstHealth reported nine COVID-positive patients on Friday, while Scotland Memorial Hospital had four who were isolated.
Although the Health Department reported one case, Richmond County Schools reported three traditional students at Fairview Heights Elementary have tested positive.
Students were allowed to return back to the classroom at the beginning of February.
Since then, there have been 16 traditional students, 27 virtual students and 21 staff members to test positive, according to RCS records.
Teachers and other school staffers were eligible for the vaccine starting Feb. 24
On Thursday, Gov. Roy Cooper and Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced that those “who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk of serious illness and people who live in certain congregate settings will be eligible for vaccination” starting March 17.
The rest of Group 4, those considered “essential workers,” will be eligible on April 7.
“I know there are many efforts across the state getting vaccines to people as quickly and fairly as possible and I want our providers to know that their work is making all the difference,” Cooper said in a statement.
According DHHS, 8,602 Richmond County residents are at least partially vaccinated and 5,485 have been partially vaccinated.
Currently, the only one of the three vaccines locally available is the two-shot inoculation manufactured by Moderna. A two-shot vaccine from Pfizer and a one-dose formula by Johnson and Johnson have both been given approval. State records show 31,410 people have been administered the one-shot dose.
According to DHHS, 11.5% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
Employees dubbed “essential frontline workers” — which include those working in critical manufacturing, education, grocery stores and in food and agriculture — are now eligible for the vaccine.
To sign up for the vaccine locally, call 910-417-3030 and leave your name, date of birth and phone number. Local health officials ask that callers not leave multiple messages.
Vaccinations aren’t restricted by residency.
To schedule an appointment in Scotland County, call 910-291-7654 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
McLeod Health Cheraw has a clinic scheduled for 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, March 17 at Marlboro County High School in Bennettsville, South Carolina.
That clinic will be available for the following with a photo ID:
- Individuals age 55 and up
- Individuals 16 years and older with high-risk medical conditions
- Frontline workers with increased occupational risks, such as education system and daycare, criminal justice, manufacturing, and grocery stores
Appointments are strongly encouraged, drive-ups will be taken first come, first serve. To schedule an appointment online visit https://vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov Or via phone at 1-866-365-8110.
Of all the tests performed on Richmond County residents, 33,344 results have been negative and 4,258 have been positive.
The county has recorded 92 COVID-related deaths, including one this week.
