ROCKINGHAM — Two more Richmond County residents have died after contracting COVID-19.
The Richmond County Health Department announced the deaths Friday afternoon, bringing the overall number of COVID-related deaths to 103 since the first was reported in April of 2020.
There have been six within the past month and four reported this week.
According to the Health Department, the race and gender breakdown is as follows: 18 African American females, 16 African American males, two “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, two American Indian males, 29 Caucasian females and 33 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 27 have been 80 or older; 30 have been in their 70s; 30 in their 60s; 12 in their 50s; three in their 40s and one who was 31.
Based on previous reports, it appears both patients were Caucasian men in their 70s and died in a hospital.
Of the county’s 103 deaths, 78 have been at a hospital, 20 have passed away in another healthcare facility and five have died outside of a health setting.
There have now been 50 COVID-related deaths in the county so far this year, including 13 in February and 23 in January. There were also 15 in October and 13 in December of 2020.
According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the state has recorded a total 13,635 COVID-related deaths as of Monday, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. There have been more than 200 in the past two weeks — compared to 142 from June 28 to July 22.
Earlier this week, the Health Department reported 113 new cases of COVID-19 for the most recent week, with 13 hospitalized.
Daily statewide cases have climbed this month, from 208 on June 30 to 3,268 on July 29 and 3,199 on July 30.
COVID-related hospitalizations have also risen sharply from 373 on July 3 to 1,168 on July 29.
The Health Department has altered its testing hours due to weather at the request of the testing company.
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.
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.
