ROCKINGHAM — Two more Richmond County residents have died from complications of COVID-19, the Health Department announced Friday morning.
The latest report brings the county’s overall total to 117.
According to the Health Department, the updated race and gender breakdown is as follows: 20 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, 38 Caucasian females and 34 Caucasian males.
All patients have been between the ages of 31 and 95: 33 have been 80 or older; 30 have been in their 70s; 34 in their 60s; 15 in their 50s; four in their 40s and one who was 31.
Of the county’s deaths, 88 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, both of those recently deceased were Caucasian women; one was 80 or older and the other was in her 50s. Both apparently died at a hospital.
There have now been 63 COVID-related deaths this year, including 13 in February and 23 in January. Thus far, 14 have been reported in August.
There have been 14,059 COVID-related deaths in the state — 300 since Aug. 12 — according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Although the Health Department has been giving updates Monday-Friday, only certain information is included. Hospitalization statistics, for example, are only given on Wednesdays.
This past Wednesday, there were 17 county residents in a hospital.
An infographic from FirstHealth of the Carolinas on Friday shows 89 COVID-positive patients (there were 92 on Thursday):
National, state and local health officials continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated.
Because of limited supplies of the Pfizer vaccine, which is the only one authorized for kids aged 12-17, Interim Health Director Cheryl Speight said the Health Department is limiting it to the younger population and giving the Moderna shot to adults. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is no longer available through the Health Department.
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.
