ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s COVID-related death toll has risen to 134.
The Richmond County Health Department announced the latest death late Friday morning, making the eighth for the month of September.
According to the Health Department, the updated race and gender breakdown is as follows: 21 African American females, 23 African American males, three “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, two Hispanic males, two American Indian males, 42 Caucasian females and 38 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 34 have been 80 or older; 33 have been in their 70s; 38 in their 60s; 19 in their 50s; eight in their 40s and two in their 30s.
Of the county’s deaths, 104 have been at a hospital, 23 have passed away in another healthcare facility and seven have died outside of a health setting.
Based on previous reports, the most recent death was that of a Caucasian woman in her 60s who died in a hospital.
The Health Department reported on Wednesday that 26 residents were in a hospital with the coronavirus.
As of Sept. 16, North Carolina has recorded 15,520 COVID-related deaths — 273 since Sept. 13 — according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. (Friday’s numbers had not yet been updated.)
When compared to the other five counties with similar populations (43,000-48,000) Richmond ranks the highest. Records with NCDHHS show the following death totals:
- Vance – 92 (+2)
- Beaufort – 109 (+4)
- McDowell – 74 (+10)
- Stokes – 91 (+8)
- Jackson – 63 (+5)
(Additions in parentheses are since Aug. 24. State records may not reflect county records, as Richmond is only shown to have 127. During the same time period, Richmond has had 14.)
Neighboring Scotland County, which has a population nearly 10,000 less than that of Richmond, has had 125 as of Sept 16, according to Scotland Health Care System.
The Health Department reported Thursday that 17,532 county residents have been fully vaccinated.
Both the vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna are available through the Health Department, where they are available Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays from 8-11 a.m. There is no charge and no appointment necessary.
