ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department on Tuesday reported two new COVID-related deaths.
The recent deaths bring the county’s total to 96 since the first was reported in April 2020.
It appears both unnamed residents died in a hospital, making 69 in that location, according to a press release. Additionally, 23 have passed away in another healthcare facility and four have died outside of a health setting.
The race and gender breakdown is as follows: 18 African American females, 13 African American males, two “other race” females, one “other race,” male, two Hispanic females, two American Indian males, 29 Caucasian females and 29 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 26 have been 80 or older; 29 have been in their 70s; 28 in their 60s; 10 in their 50s; and one who was 31.
Judging from previous reports, the latest deaths appear to be those of women, one African American, one Caucasian, both in their 40s.
There have now been three COVID-related deaths in May after seeing only one in April. The previous death was reported May 4.
There have now been 43 so far this year, including 13 in February and 23 in January. There were also 15 in October and 13 in December of 2020.
When the Health Department released its daily update on Monday, there were 10new cases and three hospitalizations, the latter of which had dropped to 0 last week for the first time since the end of March.
There have been 12,891 COVID-related deaths in North Carolina as of May 18, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services — an increase of 200 since May 3.
New statewide daily cases have been relatively low over the past two months, only topping 2,500 twice since April 5. On Monday, numbers dropped to a recent low of 688.
COVID-related hospitalizations across the state dropped to 815 on Sunday following a slight resurgence that topped out at 1,170 April 19. On Monday, FirstHealth reported 15 of its 349 patients (4.3%) were COVID-positive.
“The latest trends (nationally, state and locally) indicate greater impact among younger ages as older populations have much higher COVID vaccination rates,” Health and Human Services Director Tommy Jarrell said. “The Richmond County Health Department encourages anyone eligible for the COVID vaccination, who has not received the vaccination, to consider receiving the vaccination as soon as possible.”
According to DHHS, there are 12,778 Richmond County residents (28.5%) who are partially vaccinated and 11,858 (26.5%) who are fully vaccinated.
The Health Department had a goal of reaching an 85% vaccination rate, but lowered that goal to 66% on Monday.
Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced he was lifting the mask mandate for vaccinated individuals and most occupancy restrictions.
However, Jarrell said the rule changes, combined with new variants of the coronavirus, put unvaccianted residents at a higher risk.
The Health Department is offering several free vaccine clinics: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8-11 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available with no appointment needed.
The Pfizer vaccine is the only one recommended for ages 12 and up.
Jarrell said parents who would like to have their 12-17 year olds vaccinated can make an appointment by calling 910-417-4909.
Jarrell said vaccines are also available at several local pharmacies and physicians’ offices.
(CORRECTION: The RO learned just after publication that the county's vaccination goal had lowered. 11:46 a.m. 5-18-21)
