ROCKINGHAM — Summertime weather has led to another change in COVID-testing hours at the Richmond County Health Department.
Interim Health Director Cheryl Speight said Friday morning that the testing company requested the change due to extreme heat and afternoon thunderstorms.
Starting Aug. 2, drive-thru testing will be from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Health Department.
The hours had been increased earlier in the week because of a higher recent demand as new cases continue to rise again.
On Wednesday, the Health Department reported the county’s 101st COVID-related death and 113 new cases of the coronavirus over the past week.
There have been a total of 313 new cases for the month of July, according to weekly reports from the Health Department.
Last week, Speight told the RO that there had been 28 breakthrough cases — when patients are diagnosed with the coronavirus after 14 days of being fully vaccinated since July 1.
According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, 92% of the new COVID-19 cases since May have been in those not fully vaccinated.
As of Thursday, 35% of the county’s population has been fully vaccinated, just more than half of the county’s 66% goal.
Most counties are less than 50% fully vaccinated. Only 22% of the populations of both Hoke and Onslow counties are fully vaccinated.
Vaccines are available at the Health Department Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays from 8-11 a.m.
There is no charge and no appointment necessary.
