ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department only reported one new positive case of COVID-19 on Monday, shortly after reporting the fourth virus-related death.
Monday’s new case makes 10 new cases reported since last Thursday. Combined with the five new cases announced Friday and four on Saturday, the total number since April 7 is now 184.
The Health Department reports that 66 cases are active, with 60 patients under home isolation and the remaining six hospitalized.
According to the county, 114 patients have recovered from the coronavirus.
The rise in cases over the weekend coincided with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services showing three consecutive record-setting days of new cases: 1,189 on June 4; 1,289 on June 5; and 1,370 on June 6. The total number of positive cases Sunday and Monday were 921 and 938, respectively.
The statewide total of lab-confirmed cases has now reached 36,484.
June 4 also showed the highest number of tests completed in a single day with 19,039. The total number of completed tests in the Tar Heel State is 520,113.
Out of all the tests completed in Richmond County, 1,485 have been negative.
The number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has also been on a slight incline, with 739 North Carolinians in hospitals with the virus, according to DHHS.
The number of statewide deaths attributed to COVID-19 has now surpassed 1,000, with four in Richmond County.
Health and Human Service Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said in Monday’s briefing that those key metrics have “moved in the wrong direction,” adding that the percentage of positive tests is now among the highest in the U.S.
“I am concerned,” she said. “These trends moving in the wrong direction is a signal we need to take very seriously.”
Cohen said one of the drivers of the increase is more movement.
She said it coincides with the opening of Phase 2 around two weeks ago, which is about the same amount of time as the virus’ incubation period.
“We will need to come together and each do our part to change the trends of these numbers …” Cohen said.
She emphasized following the “three Ws”: wear a face-covering; wait six feet apart; and wash your hands.
“These are easy actions that have out-sized impact, but we all need to do them and do them consistently,” she said.
Cohen also encouraged anyone who is showing symptoms or thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested.
“If you attended a mass gathering or a protest, get tested,” she said. “If you work at a setting with a higher risk of exposure … get tested.”
Those settings included grocery stores, restaurants, food-processing plants and child-care facilities.
Cohen also encouraged residents to “answer the call” from local and state health officials who will be reaching out to those who may have recently come into close contact with someone who has tested positive.
She concluded by asking those who have tested positive or may have been exposed to stay home.
“Opening schools and finding a way to get back to the things we love safely is a possibility,” Cohen said. “Together we can protect loved ones and neighbors and slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Earlier in the briefing, Gov. Roy Cooper strongly encouraged the use of face masks, especially by community leaders, as “a sign of strength and caring.”
“Your followers are watching you,” he said. “And their lives may depend on your example.”
Republicans were quick to criticize the governor, saying his advice was hypocritical.
NCGOP Press Secretary Tim Wigginton issued a release saying Cooper is telling North Carolinans that his regulations “do not apply to him,” after the governor was seen without a mask during a Raleigh protest last week.
“Cooper made the decision to march with the protestors and even removed his masks for this photo opportunity,” Wigginton said. “How can the people of North Carolina trust Cooper’s regulations when he won’t even follow his own guidelines?”
BY THE NUMBERS
The number of cases and recoveries by ZIP code are as follows:
- Rockingham – 117 (71 recovered)
- Hamlet – 52 (37 recovered)
- Ellerbe – 11 (5 recovered)
- Hoffman – 3 (1 recovered)
- Mount Gilead – 1
The number of cases per age group are as follows:
- 0-18 – 22
- 19-30 – 28
- 31-40 – 23
- 41-50 – 37
- 50-64 – 48
- 65-older – 26
The total numbers (including recoveries) for surrounding counties are as follows:
- Mecklenburg – 5,682
- Union – 592
- Anson – 74
- Stanly – 117
- Montgomery – 165
- Moore – 266
- Hoke – 278
- Scotland – 98
- Robeson – 868
All numbers except Moore County are from DHHS. The Moore County total is from the local health department.
Duplin County has joined Mecklenburg, Wake, Durham, Guilford, Forsyth and Wayne in having more than 1,000 confirmed cases.
What sets Duplin apart from the others is that it is a rural county with a population of 60,000.
As of June 8, DHHS estimates that 23,653 patients in the Tar Heel State have recovered.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control last updated its numbers on June 2, reporting 250 cases in Chesterfield County and 211 in Marlboro County.
