ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department on Wednesday announced another COVID-related death, making the third for the month of March.
It appears, based on the last press release, that the county resident died at a hospital.
According to the Health Department, 65 residents have died while at a hospital, 23 in another healthcare facility and four outside of a health setting.
There were six residents hospitalized on Tuesday, according to the local update.
The race and gender breakdown is as follows: 17 African American females, 12 African American males, two “other race” females, one “other race,” male, two Hispanic females, two American Indian males, 27 Caucasian females and 29 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 25 have been 80 or older; 29 have been in their 70s; 27 in their 60s; 10 in their 50s; and one who was 31.
Based on previous reports, it appears the latest death was that of a Caucasian male in his 70s.
The latest deaths bring the county’s COVID-related total to 92 since the first was reported in April of 2020. There have been 39 so far this year, including 13 in February and 23 in January. The other two this month were reported March 5. There were also 15 in October and 13 in December of 2020.
There have been 11,552 COVID-related deaths in North Carolina as of March 9 — an increase of 153 March 4, 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.
When compared to the other five counties with similar populations (43,000-48,000) Richmond now ranks the highest.
Records with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (which may not be up to date with county records) show the following death totals:
- Vance – 82
- Beaufort – 83
- McDowell – 61
- Stokes – 74
- Jackson – 55
According to Johns Hopkins University, as of 11:05 a.m. March 5, the U.S. leads the world’s nations in COVID-related deaths with 527,854. The U.S. has had more than twice the number of deaths in Brazil, which is second with 268,370. There have been 2,612,891 worldwide.
Richmond County Aging Services is organizing a drive-thru vigil — scheduled for 8 p.m. April 9 in the Human Services Complex parking lot — to remember those whose deaths were attributed to COVID-19.
According to Aging Services Director Jacqueline Welch, there will be a luminary for each resident who lost their fight with the coronavirus.
