Home Local News Richmond County COVID death toll surpasses 90

Richmond County COVID death toll surpasses 90

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ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department on Friday announced two additional COVID-related deaths.

A press release did not say when the two residents died, but did indicate that both died in a hospital, bringing that total to 64. Of the remaining deaths,23 were in a health care facility and four were outside of a health setting, according to the Health Department. 

The race and gender breakdown is as follows: 17 African American females, 12 African American males, two “other race” females, one “other race,” male, two Hispanic females, two American Indian males, 27 Caucasian females and 28 Caucasian males.

All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 25 have been 80 or older; 28 have been in their 70s; 27 in their 60s; 10 in their 50s; and one who was 31.

It appears, based on previous reports, that one resident was an African American female and the other a Caucasian male; one was in their 60s and the other in their 70s.

The latest deaths bring the county’s total to 91 since the first was reported in April of 2020. There have been 38 so far this year, including 13 in February and 23 in January. There were also 15 in October and 13 in December of 2020.

The most recent deaths prior to Friday’s announcement were reported Feb. 22.

There have been 11,399 COVID-related deaths in North Carolina as of March 4, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Friday’s numbers have not yet been released. The state topped the 10,000 mark on Feb. 9.

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When compared to the other five counties with similar populations (43,000-48,000) Richmond now ranks the highest.

Records with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (which may not be up to date with county records) show the following death totals:

  • Vance – 81
  • Beaufort – 82 
  • McDowell – 61
  • Stokes – 73
  • Jackson – 54

According to Johns Hopkins University, as of 11:05 a.m. March 5, the U.S. leads the world’s nations in COVID-related deaths with 520,422. The U.S. has had more than twice the number of deaths in Brazil, which is second with 260,970. There have been 2,571,881 worldwide.

Richmond County Aging Services is organizing a drive-thru vigil — scheduled for 8 p.m. April 9 in the Human Services Complex parking lot — to remember those whose deaths were attributed to COVID-19.

According to Aging Services Director Jacqueline Welch, there will be a luminary for each resident who lost their fight with the coronavirus.

 



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