ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department announced two more COVID-related deaths Friday morning.
The county’s total since April of 2020 now stands at 114, with seven of those being within the past week. The Health Department reported two on both Monday and Thursday and one on Saturday.
According to the Health Department, the race and gender breakdown is as follows: 19 African American females, 16 African American males, three “other race” females, one “other race” male, two Hispanic females, one Hispanic male, two American Indian males, 36 Caucasian females and 34 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 32 have been 80 or older; 30 have been in their 70s; 33 in their 60s; 14 in their 50s; four in their 40s and one who was 31.
Of the county’s deaths, 85 have been at a hospital, 22 have passed away in another healthcare facility and seven have died outside of a health setting.
Based on previous reports, one death was that of a Hispanic male, the other was of a Caucasian female. One was 80 or older, the other was in their 40s. One died in a hospital, the other outside of a healthcare facility.
There have now been 16 COVID-related deaths since June 28 and the 60th this year. The 100th death was reported July 26.
Since the Health Department reverted to updating numbers daily on Tuesday, there have been 83 new cases. Friday’s figures hadn’t been announced at the time of this story.
On Wednesday, 20 residents were hospitalized with COVID-19. There was no update on that statistic given Thursday.
Officials with FirstHealth said Thursday that the regional chain was “feeling the strain” of the recent surge in cases with 100 patients — up from 91 the previous day — being treated for COVID across its four hospitals. There were 69 on Aug. 5.
Both FirstHealth and Scotland Health Care System have restricted visitation.
Nearly 16,000 Richmond County residents are fully vaccinated for 36% of the total population and 42% of the eligible population. The Pfizer vaccine is the only one currently with authority to be administered to those as young as 12.
Vaccines are available at the Health Department Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays from 8-11 a.m. There is no charge and no appointment necessary.
There are also upcoming vaccine clinics scheduled at the Dobbins Heights Community Center, where Seafoodie will be giving away free plates, and at Richmond Community College.
