ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department on Monday announced another COVID-related death.
The announcement was first made via social media around 3 p.m. Monday afternoon on the county’s Facebook page.
The latest death makes the fifth reported in 2022 and brings the county’s pandemic total to 164 since the first was reported in April of 2020.
According to the Health Department, the updated race and gender breakdown is as follows: 24 African American females, 27 African American males, three “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, three Hispanic males, two American Indian males, 54 Caucasian females and 48 Caucasian males.
Those who have died range in age: 38 have been 80 or older; 41 have been in their 70s; 44 in their 60s; 26 in their 50s; 10 in their 40s; and five in their 20s or 30s.
Of the county’s deaths, 132 have been at a hospital, 25 have passed away in another healthcare facility and seven have died outside of a health setting.
Based on previous reports, the most recent death appears to be that of a Caucasian woman in her 60s.
North Carolina has recorded a total of 19,685 COVID-related deaths — 111 since Jan. 6 — according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
When compared to the other five counties with similar populations (43,000-48,000) Richmond ranks the highest and has seen the largest increase in COVID-related deaths in the past month. Records with NCDHHS show the following death totals:
- Vance – 104 (+0)
- Beaufort – 140 (+3)
- McDowell – 140 (+2)
- Stokes – 122 (+3)
- Jackson – 80 (+1)
(Additions in parentheses are since Dec. 28. State records may not reflect county records, as Richmond is still only shown to have 157. During the same time period, Richmond has had five.)
Neighboring Scotland County, which has a population nearly 10,000 less than that of Richmond, has had 155 as of Monday — an increase of four since Dec. 28 — according to Scotland Health Care System.
Richmond County’s daily testing numbers were still not available as of 3:20 p.m. Monday.
COVID vaccinations and boosters are available at the Health Department from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Monday-Thursday 8-5, and 8-11 a.m. on Fridays with no appointment needed.
