ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department late Tuesday afternoon reported another COVID-related death.
The latest death brings the county’s overall total to 153 and the second for the month of December.
According to the Health Department, the updated race and gender breakdown is as follows: 23 African American females, 26 African American males, three “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, three Hispanic males, two American Indian males, 48 Caucasian females and 45 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 37 have been 80 or older; 39 have been in their 70s; 40 in their 60s; 24 in their 50s; eight in their 40s; and five in their 30s.
Of the county’s deaths, 120 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 latest death appears to be that of an Caucasian man in his 70s. The death reported Monday was that of an African American woman in her 70s.
According to Health Director Cheryl Speight, nine individuals who have died since vaccines were made available were fully vaccinated.
Speight also said she was not aware of any deaths attributed to any of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines.
North Carolina has recorded a total of 18,880 COVID-related deaths — an increase of 20 from Monday — according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Also on Tuesday, the Health Department reported 19 new cases, making 57 for the week. There were 112 new cases reported last week.
Richmond County Schools reported four new cases on its COVID Tracker: one student each at Fairview Heights and Washington Street Elementary, and Hamlet Middle; and one staff-related case at Washington Street.
Hamlet Middle has now had 40 student cases — the third-highest number behind Richmond Senior High with 88 and the Ninth Grade Academy with 47. Rockingham Middle is the only other school that has experienced more than 30 student cases.
So far this school year, there have been 398 cases among students and 68 among staff.
Citing the Health Department, County Manager Bryan Land said Tuesday that there were currently 153 active cases and 12 COVID-related hospitalizations.
FirstHealth had not updated its statistics since Monday when there were 30 COVID patients of the 363 in its hospitals, accounting for 8.3%
According to the Health Department, 20,182 county residents have been vaccinated — 41 since Monday.
Vaccinations were recently authorized for children as young as 5 and booster shots are now available for all vaccinated adults.
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.
FirstHealth Family Medicine-Rockingham will be offering the Pfizer vaccine for children 5-11 from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10. To schedule an appointment, call 910-417-3865.
