ROCKINGHAM — Statewide COVID cases have dipped below 2,000 for the first time in more than two months.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 1,786 new cases, as the trend continues a downward track. Cases in the late-summer spike peaked at 11,337 on Sept. 11.
The Richmond County Health Department reported 44 new cases from the weekend, for a daily average of 14.6. The low number of reported cases last week brought the seven-day average down to 11.2 on Friday.
Richmond County Schools reported 14 new cases — including nine student cases at Richmond Senior High School.
L.J. Bell Elementary, Rockingham Middle and Richmond Early College High School each had one student case, according to the district’s COVID Tracker.
The remaining two cases were staff related, including the first for Ashley Chapel Educational Center. The other was at the Ninth Grade Academy.
According to the COVID Tracker, there have been 292 student-related cases so far this school year. Sixty-five of those have been at Richmond Senior, 37 at NGA and 33 at Hamlet Middle.
Only three schools have had fewer than 10 cases reported:
- 8 – Fairview Heights, West Rockingham
- 2 – Ashley Chapel
There have also been 50 staff-related cases, including six at Mineral Springs Elementary, and five at Richmond Senior and in the Central Office. The only school without a staff-related case is Ellerbe Middle.
Hospitalizations also hit a new low on Sunday, dropping to 2,152.
FirstHealth reported Monday that 39 COVID patients were admitted to its hospitals. Of those, 31 are unvaccinated and eight are vaccinated. The regional hospital chain also reported two unvaccinated COVID patients in ICU and none on a ventilator.
According to the Health Department, there were 36 new vaccinations between the reports issued Friday and Monday, bringing the total to 18,916.
Testing is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m at the Health Department and a secondary site opened last week at Cole Auditorium on the campus of Richmond Community College and will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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.
