ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department on Thursday announced another COVID-related death, making the second this week.
The latest death brings the county’s pandemic total to 147 since the first was reported in April 2020.
The Health Department has now reported three deaths in November. The previous two were on Nov. 1 and 15.
There were 11 COVID-related deaths in September, 13 in February and 23 in both January and August.
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, 47 Caucasian females and 42 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 36 have been 80 or older; 35 have been in their 70s; 40 in their 60s; 23 in their 50s; eight in their 40s; and five in their 30s.
Of the county’s deaths, 115 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 is that of a Caucasian female in her 50s and she died at a hospital.
North Carolina has recorded a total of 18,437 COVID-related deaths — 125 since Monday — according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
The Health Department has reported 38 cases this week: five on both Thursday and Tuesday; 18 on Wednesday; and 10 on Monday (which included positive tests from Saturday and Sunday).
Richmond County Schools reported only one case on its COVID Tracker Thursday: a staff member at L.J. Bell Elementary. That makes a total of 55 staff-involved cases since the school year began.
There have also been 368 student-related cases this school year, including 83 at Richmond Senior High School and 45 at the Ninth Grade Academy.
Since NCDHHS reported 1,103 statewide cases on Nov. 8, there have been more than 1,200 new cases each day, including 2,392 on Thursday — the most since Oct. 28.
Following a month-long decline, COVID-related hospitalizations have remained relatively steady for the past two weeks, with 1,048 reported Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, the Health Department reported eight hospitalizations and 72 active cases.
FirstHealth hasn’t updated its statistics since Monday.
As of Thursday, 19,856 residents have been vaccinated, according to the Health Department, which is 44% of the county’s population. The Health Department’s goal is 66%.
Vaccines are now approved for anyone aged 5 or older.
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.
