ROCKINGHAM — The announcement of another COVID-related death over the weekend brings Richmond County’s overall total to 108.
Interim Health Director Cheryl Speight issued a press release about the latest death Saturday afternoon.
According to the Health Department, the race and gender breakdown is as follows: 19 African American females, 16 African American males, two “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, two American Indian males, 32 Caucasian females and 34 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 30 have been 80 or older; 30 have been in their 70s; 31 in their 60s; 13 in their 50s; three in their 40s and one who was 31.
Of the county’s deaths, 80 have been at a hospital, 21 have passed away in another healthcare facility and six have died outside of a health setting. (Note: the numbers were not updated to include the location of the latest death.)
Based on previous reports, the most recent death was that of an Caucasian woman in her 60s.
There have now been 55 COVID-related deaths in the county so far this year, including 13 in February and 23 in January. 11 deaths have been reported since June 28.
Statewide, there have been 13,759 COVID-related deaths, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Records show 80 have occurred since Aug. 3.
New daily cases across the state have rapidly risen in recent weeks, peaking at 6,892 on Aug. 8. Hospitalizations have also increased from 409 on July 9 to 1,946 on Aug. 8, according to DHHS.
FirstHealth, which has altered its visitation rules in light of the spike in cases, reported Aug. 5 that 69 of its 400 patients (17.3%) were COVID-positive.
The RO reported last week that the county is averaging 21 new cases each day.
Drive-thru testing is available from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Health Department.
As of Monday, 36% of the county’s population has been fully vaccinated, just more than half of the county’s 66% goal.
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.
