ROCKINGHAM — Hours after reporting a COVID-related death on Tuesday, the Richmond County Health Department reported another.
The latest makes the fourth announced in two days and the eighth for the month of December. The others were reported Dec. 6, 7, 16, 20 and 27.
It also brings the county’s pandemic total to 159 since the first was reported in April 2020. Twenty-three deaths were reported in each January and August, 13 in February and 11 in September.
The press release was posted to the county’s Facebook page around 3:30 p.m. and sent to the media at 6:20 p.m.
According to the Health Department, the updated race and gender breakdown is as follows: 24 African American females, 27 African American males, three “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, three Hispanic males, two American Indian males, 49 Caucasian females and 48 Caucasian males.
Those who have died range in age: 38 have been 80 or older; 40 have been in their 70s; 43 in their 60s; 25 in their 50s; eight in their 40s; and five in their 20s or 30s.
Of the county’s deaths, 127 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 most recent death appears to be that of a Caucasian man in his 50s.
The death reported earlier on Tuesday appeared to be that of a Caucasian man in his 60s. The two reported Monday were both of women, one African American and one Caucasian — one was in her 70s, the other in her 60s.
There were 12 COVID-related deaths reported in December 2020.
By the end of last year, there had been 52 COVID-related deaths (from April-December) and, with three days left in the year, there have been 107 in 2021.
When compared to the other five counties with similar populations (43,000-48,000) Richmond ranks the highest and has seen the largest increase in COVID-related deaths in the past month. Records with NCDHHS show the following death totals:
- Vance – 104 (+0)
- Beaufort – 137 (+6)
- McDowell – 138 (+2)
- Stokes – 119 (+3)
- Jackson – 79 (+7)
(Additions in parentheses are since Nov. 22. State records may not reflect county records, as Richmond is still only shown to have 151. During the same time period, Richmond has had 11.)
Neighboring Scotland County, which has a population nearly 10,000 less than that of Richmond, has had 151 as of Dec. 28 — an increase of four since Nov. 19 — according to Scotland Health Care System.
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.
