ROCKINGHAM — For the first time this week, there is at least one Richmond County resident hospitalized with COVID-19.
The Health Department reported only one hospitalization on Friday, after none were reported the four previous days.
The county hasn’t gone a day without a COVID-related hospitalization in nearly a year, since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Health Department records.
The first two COVID-related hospitalizations were reported April 9 when there were only five confirmed cases. There were several days in June, July and August with only one resident reported to be in a hospital.
Local hospitalizations reached a high of 27 on Jan. 21. Since then, the numbers have steadily dropped.
That downward trend is also reflected in statewide hospitalizations, which dropped to 970 as of March 18, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
FirstHealth reported only 15 COVID-positive patients Friday and Scotland Memorial Hospital had only two isolated patients.
Along with hospitalizations, new daily case counts are also declining.
The Health Department reported three new cases on Friday, six each Wednesday and Thursday, four Tuesday and 14 on Monday — which included the weekend — making 33 for the week.
There were only seven days in January that had fewer cases than this past week.
Within the last 10 days, statewide daily cases have twice dipped below 1,000, with a recent low of 892 on March 13, according to DHHS.
Active local COVID cases currently total 38 (for the second time this week) — the fewest since May 1 when there were 35.
To date, there have been 40,370 negative test results, 4,291 positive cases, and 92 COVID-related deaths in Richmond County. Statewide, there have been 10,945,810 completed tests, 893,229 positive cases, and 11,805 deaths blamed on the coronavirus.
The latest update of the DHHS County Alert System shows Randolph as the only one of the state’s 100 counties still listed as having critical community spread.
There are 13 counties, including Scotland, coded orange and the other 86 are yellow. Richmond County was moved into yellow status on March 4.
According to DHHS, 9,617 Richmond County residents are at least partially vaccinated and 6,002 have been completely vaccinated.
Currently, the only one of the three available vaccines is the two-shot inoculation manufactured by Moderna. A two-shot vaccine from Pfizer and a one-dose formula by Johnson and Johnson have both been given approval. State records show nearly 77,000 residents have been administered the one-shot dose.
DHHS has recruited college coaches, NASCAR legend Richard Petty and former governor Jim Hunt to help urge residents to get the vaccine.
“We are committed to using every lever we have to ensure that historically marginalized populations can easily access a COVID-19 vaccine — that includes how we allocate vaccines, who we allocate vaccines to, which events we can support, where we deploy state resources, and who we engage on the ground to help address barriers like transportation and internet access,” said Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said Wednesday.
Employees dubbed “essential frontline workers” — which include those working in critical manufacturing, education, grocery stores and in food and agriculture — are now eligible for the vaccine.
To sign up for the vaccine locally, call 910-417-3030 and leave your name, date of birth and phone number. Local health officials ask that callers not leave multiple messages.
Vaccinations aren’t restricted by residency.
Weekly vaccinations are also available at Scotland Memorial Hospital. To register for the clinic in Laurinburg, call 910-291-7654 during the hours of 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday for assistance.
