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While lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased this week across the Roanoke-Chowan area, so did the number of recoveries.

As of 3 p.m. on Friday (June 12), 478 residents in the local area have tested positive since the virus outbreak began locally in March. Of that number, 178 are in Northampton County; 143 in Hertford County; 134 in Bertie County; and 23 in Gates County.

The number of recoveries is also growing in each county: 141 in Northampton; 118 in Bertie; 117 in Hertford; and 19 in Gates.

To date, 25 local residents have died due to complications with the virus. Fourteen of those deaths are in Northampton County, to include 10 at Rich Square Nursing and Rehabilitation.

On Friday, Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) reported they continue to work on multiple outbreaks at local facilities.

Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation currently has 50 residents and 21 staff members with lab-confirmed positive cases and 13 deaths.

ARHS staff are also monitoring an outbreak at the Ahoskie House. At the present time, there are 50 residents and 21 staff members with lab-confirmed positive cases and four deaths.

Bertie Correctional Facility presently has 12 staff and 10 inmates with lab-confirmed positive results.

There is a new outbreak at Ahoskie Assisted Living (formerly Pinewood Manor) consisting of two positive cases in residents.

Outbreaks at Rivers Correctional Institution in Winton and Three Rivers Health and Rehab in Windsor have all been resolved, according to ARHS staff.

As noted previously, the state department of Health and Human Services considers an outbreak to be over if there is no evidence of continued transmission within the facility. This is measured as 28 days after the latest date of onset in a symptomatic person or the latest date of specimen collection in an asymptomatic person, whichever is later.

ARHS is expanding the availability of COVID-19 testing at local health departments across the eight-county region. Testing clinics locally at the Bertie County Health Department in Windsor, Hertford County Health Department in Winton, and the Gates County Health Department in Gatesville will begin on Monday, June 15 from 1-3 pm.

Testing will be available for those meeting criteria by appointment only. ARHS does encourage residents to call their primary care provider for an assessment or information on testing availability before calling the local health department as it is always encouraged to go through your primary care home. If someone does not have a primary care home, ARHS does offer primary care services.

For more information on criteria for COVID-19 testing or appointments, call 252-338-9355 or your local health department directly.