ROCKINGHAM — A third COVID-related death for the week was reported Thursday morning by the Richmond County Health Department, bringing the month’s total to five.
The latest death, combined with the two reported on Monday, brings the county’s overall total to 142 since the first was announced in April of 2020.
According to the Health Department, the updated race and gender breakdown is as follows: 22 African American females, 25 African American males, three “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, three Hispanic males, two American Indian males, 43 Caucasian females and 41 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 35 have been 80 or older; 33 have been in their 70s; 40 in their 60s; 21 in their 50s; eight in their 40s; and five in their 30s.
Of the county’s deaths, 111 have been at a hospital, 24 have passed away in another healthcare facility and seven have died outside of a health setting.
Based on previous reports, the most recent death was that of a Hispanic male in his 50s who died in a hospital.
There were 11 COVID-related deaths in September, 13 in February and 23 in both January and August.
North Carolina has recorded a total of 17,696 COVID-related deaths — 160 since Oct. 18 — according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
The Health Department also reported 13 new cases on Thursday, making 48 so far for the week. There were six reported Wednesday, 14 on Tuesday and 15 on Monday (which included the weekend).
Richmond County Schools’ COVID Tracker showed five new cases:
- Two students at Richmond Senior High School
- One student each at L.J. Bell Elementary and Hamlet Middle
- One staff member at Fairview Heights Elementary
There have been 318 student-related cases and 52 staff-related cases since classes began this school year. Richmond Senior tops the student list with 75.
Health Department records show that, as of Wednesday, there had been 110 new positive cases among those aged 18 or younger since Sept. 22.
NCDHHS reported 3,003 cases statewide on Thursday, up from the 1,374 on Monday, which was only the second time the daily total had dipped below 2,000 since early August.
Hospitalizations also continue to decline, dropping to 1,763 on Wednesday.
FirstHealth has not updated its statistics since Oct. 18.
As of Thursday, 19,316 county residents have been vaccinated, according to the Health Department. That’s an increase of 108 from Monday.
On Wednesday, when the vaccination number was 19,302, 43% of the county’s entire population had been vaccinated. The rate for those eligible for a vaccine (12 and up) was 51%. The county’s goal is to have a 66% vaccination rate.
Testing is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m at the Health Department and a secondary site opened last week at Cole Auditorium on the campus of Richmond Community College and will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Both the vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna are available through the Health Department, where they are available Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays from 8-11 a.m. There is no charge and no appointment necessary.
