ROCKINGHAM — Local health officials on Tuesday announced Richmond County’s 93rd COVID-related death.
Judging by a press release, the death occurred at a hospital.
According to the Health Department, 66 residents have died while at a hospital, 23 in another healthcare facility and four outside of a health setting.
When the Health Department released Tuesday’s statistics, there were six residents hospitalized with the coronavirus. That number had dropped to 0 on March 31, but has risen slightly since.
The race and gender breakdown is as follows: 17 African American females, 12 African American males, two “other race” females, one “other race,” male, two Hispanic females, two American Indian males, 28 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; 27 in their 60s; 10 in their 50s; and one who was 31.
Judging from previous reports, the latest death appears to be that of a Caucasian female 80 years old or older.
This is the first resident diagnosed with COVID-19 to die in April. The most recent was announced March 10. There have been 40 so far this year, including 13 in February and 23 in January. There were also 15 in October and 13 in December of 2020.
There have been 12,583 COVID-related deaths in North Carolina as of April 27, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Richmond County Aging Services had scheduled a drive-thru vigil to remember those lost for April 9, but it was postponed due to weather. Aging Services Director Jacqueline Welch said Tuesday a make-up date has not yet been set.
Following a slight pause, the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine is again available, as is the two-dose Moderna vaccine, for those 18 and older.
To make an appointment, call 910-417-3030.
For the first time in Richmond County, the two-dose Phfizer vaccine will be available for 16 and 17 year olds the week of May 3-8. That is the only vaccine approved for teens of that age.
There will also be a special clinic at Hoffman Recreational Center from 2-5 p.m. May 3, with the Moderna vaccine being administered. No appointment is necessary for this clinic, according to the Health Department.
According to DHHS, 10,492 Richmond County residents (23.4%) have been fully vaccinated and 12,245 (27.3%) have received at least one shot.
