ROCKINGHAM — While Richmond County reported its lowest daily COVID case count in the past two weeks, the state set yet another record high.
The Richmond County Health Department on Friday reported 19 new cases, bringing the number of active cases to 356.
This is the first time fewer than 20 cases have been reported in one day since Nov. 26, when only 10 were reported.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, on the other hand, reported 7,540 — exceeding the previous record, set Dec. 9, by more than 1,000. This is the seventh time this month new cases have topped 5,000.
“Having more than 7,500 cases is staggering and alarming,” Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement. “We are now seeing the impact of Thanksgiving gatherings. Do not wait until it is you or your loved one sick or alone in the hospital or you are facing the loss of a loved one to wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, and wash your hands often. Act now. Please ask yourself what you can do to help slow the spread of this virus and save lives.
Cohen also reminds residents of Gov. Roy Cooper’s modified stay-at-home order, which went into effect at 5 p.m. Friday.
“This order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.,” Cohen said. “Businesses including restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, most retail stores and more, will be required to close by 10 p.m. In addition, all onsite alcohol consumption sales must end by 9 p.m.”
Earlier in the week, Cohen said that hospitals across the state were starting to feel the strain.
Statewide COVID-related hospitalizations were up to 2,514 on Thursday, a number that has steadily increased over the past month.
Scotland Health Care System announced in a press release that it had 34 COVID-positive patients on Friday.
A spokesman for the system said the hospital has a total of 40 COVID-ready beds, adding that there is a surge plan in place to continue to meet the need should the numbers rise.
According to FirstHealth, 60 of its 383 patients (15.7%) are COVID-positive.
The local hospital chain also revised its visitation rules on Thursday with the recent uptick in cases.
The Health Department has reported 358 new cases in the first 11 days of this month and 2,208 since the first case was announced in April. Richmond was one of the last 10 counties to report its first case.
As a comparison, there were 403 cases for the month of November and 401 in October.
The county has also recorded 19,874 negative test results since March.
The Health Department is offering free COVID testing in the lot behind the building until Dec. 31. Testing will run from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday — except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
There will also be free testing Dec. 14-18 at Ellerbe Middle School parking lot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Each site is closed for lunch from noon-12:30 p.m.
Register for testing by visiting www.lhi.care and following the directions at the top or by calling 877-562-4850.
