ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department on Tuesday announced the third COVID-related death within the past four days.
The latest death brings the county’s overall total to 120 since April of 2020.
According to the Health Department, the updated race and gender breakdown is as follows: 21 African American females, 17 African American males, three “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, one Hispanic male, two American Indian males, 39 Caucasian females and 34 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 34 have been 80 or older; 32 have been in their 70s; 34 in their 60s; 15 in their 50s; four in their 40s and one who was 31.
Of the county’s deaths, 90 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 latest death is that of a Caucasian woman in her 70s who died in a hospital.
There have now been 66 COVID-related deaths this year, including 13 in February and 23 in January. Thus far, 17 have been reported in August.
According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, there have been 14,120 COVID-related deaths statewide — 61 since Aug. 20.
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 – 90 (+8)
- Beaufort – 105 (+22)
- McDowell – 64 (+3)
- Stokes – 83 (+9)
- Jackson – 58 (+3)
(Additions in parentheses are since March 10. State records may not reflect county records, as Richmond is only shown to have 113.)
Within the past month, statewide COVID-related hospitalizations have risen from 817 (July 22) to 3,197 (Aug. 22).
FirstHealth reported Monday that 87 of its 365 patients (24%) were COVID-positive. Of those:
- 76 are unvaccinated, 11 are vaccinated
- All 17 patients in ICU are unvaccinated
- All six patients on ventilators are unvaccinated
Because of limited supplies of the Pfizer vaccine, which is the only one authorized for kids aged 12-17, Interim Health Director Cheryl Speight said the Health Department is limiting it to the younger population and giving the Moderna shot to adults. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is no longer available through the Health Department.
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.
