ROCKINGHAM — Two more Richmond County residents have passed away in COVID-related deaths, the Health Department announced Wednesday morning.
According to a press release, both died within the past 24 hours.
The latest deaths bring the county’s total number of COVID-related deaths to 87 since the first was reported in April 2020. There have been 34 so far this year— 11 this month and 23 in January. There were also 15 in October and 13 in December of 2020.
Four deaths have been announced this week, including one each on Monday and Tuesday.
It appears one died in a hospital and the other in another health care facility.
Of all the COVID-related deaths, 60 people have died in a hospital, 23 in a health care facility and four outside of a health setting, according to the Health Department.
The race and gender breakdown is as follows: 15 African American females, 12 African American males, two “other race” females, one “other race,” male, two Hispanic females, two American Indian males, 26 Caucasian females and 27 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 24 have been 80 or older; 27 have been in their 70s; 25 in their 60s; 10 in their 50s; and one who was 31.
It appears, based on previous reports, that both were Caucasian males, one in his 70s, the other 80 years old or older.
There have been 10,562 COVID-related deaths in North Carolina as of Feb. 16, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Wednesday’s numbers have not yet been released. The state topped the 10,000 mark on Feb. 9.
According to Johns Hopkins University, as of 11 a.m. Feb. 16, the U.S. leads the world’s nations in COVID-related deaths with 488,295 — more than 1,000 in the past 24 hours. The U.S. has had more than twice the number of deaths in Brazil, which is second with 240,940 There have been 2,422,024 worldwide.
Local and statewide hospitalizations, as well as daily case numbers, have been on a downward trend in recent weeks.
The Health Department on Tuesday reported 14 new cases — for an overall total of 4,029 — and that active cases have dropped to 157.
Daily statewide cases dropped below 2,000 for the first time in months to 1,988, according to DHHS, which also reported a positivity rate of 7.4%.
COVID-related hospitalizations, which have been gradually decreasing since mid-January, rose by four on Monday to 1,958. The Health Department reported eight hospitalizations on Tuesday.
There were only 38 COVID-positive patients (9.9%) at FirstHealth hospitals and Scotland Memorial Hospital reported 17 patients were isolated with the coronavirus.
DHHS reports that 5,841 people in Richmond County have received the first of the two-dose vaccine, and 1,354 have been administered both. The doses are given about four weeks apart.
State officials announced last week that teachers, school staff and child care workers will be eligible for the vaccine starting Feb. 24.
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.
To schedule an appointment in Scotland County, call 910-291-7654 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
McLeod Health will be holding a vaccine clinic from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday at Marlboro County High School, 951 Fayetteville Ave., Bennettsville, South Carolina.
According to a flyer, second doses will be available for individuals who received their first dose at the Bennettsville Community Center event held Jan. 29. Limited first doses will be available, starting at 11 a.m., on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last.
UNC Pembroke recently announced that it would lead vaccine clinics at the Robeson County Health Department this weekend.
The new hours for the free drive-thru testing clinic behind the Health Department are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays. However, times may be altered due to weather conditions.
According to the Health Department, 30,019 test results have been negative.
