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The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) rose slightly this week across the Roanoke-Chowan area.

As of Friday (July 10), the Northampton County Health Department reported a total of 215 positive cases since the outbreak began in March. Of those cases, 174 are listed as recovered from the virus.

Unfortunately, there has been another death in Northampton associated with the virus. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services classified it as a COVID-19 related death.

Northampton County Health Department works hard to protect the privacy of individuals, and to respect the families of those cases who have passed away. To that end, they will not share any further information about the recent death, which is the 16^th to occur in the county from the virus.

Also on Friday, Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) provided updated data of lab confirmed positive COVID-19 cases within their eight-county health district. That latest data included:

Bertie County – 155 cases – 7 active, 144 recovered, and 4 deaths;

Gates County – 29 cases – 1 active, 26 recovered, and 2 deaths; and

Hertford County – 178 cases – 8 active, 160 recovered, and 10 deaths.

ARHS continues to monitor outbreaks at local facilities.

The outbreak at the Ahoskie House is currently stable with 52 residents and 21 staff members with lab-confirmed positive cases and eight deaths.

The outbreak at Ahoskie Assisted Living also remains stable at this time, with three residents and one staff member with lab-confirmed positive cases.

The outbreaks at Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation, Chowan River Rehabilitation, and Bertie Correctional Institute have resolved.

As noted previously, NCDHHS 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.

COVID-19 testing is available for those meeting criteria by appointment only at the local health departments across the region. ARHS encourages residents to call their primary care provider for an assessment or information on testing availability before calling the local health department. If someone does not have a primary care home, ARHS does offer primary care services. All tests will be completed through a curbside screening clinic at the local health department.

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

As of July 10, NCDHHS reported a continued increase in the number of lab confirmed cases statewide with 81,331. The death toll across the state also continues to rise (1,503 as of Friday). Another 1,046 were hospitalized.