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Following a trend noted statewide, the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to rise in the Roanoke-Chowan area.

There have been two more deaths in Bertie County, according to Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS). Both individuals were over the age of 65. One was a resident at Three Rivers Health and Rehabilitation in Windsor where there have been three previous deaths from the virus.

The Northampton County Health Department also reported another COVID-related death this week.

Since the outbreak began in March, there have been 79 COVID-related deaths in the Roanoke-Chowan area (35 in Hertford County; 21 in Bertie; 20 in Northampton; and three in Gates County).

As of Friday (Oct. 30), Hertford County has seen 857 of its citizens test positive for the virus since March. Those positive cases are also high in Bertie (731), Northampton (593), and Gates (169).

The number of active cases as of Oct. 30 were 50 in Northampton; 25 in Bertie; 13 in Gates; and 5 in Hertford.

Meanwhile, the number of local residents who have recovered from the virus is also on the rise: 817 in Hertford County; 685 in Bertie; 523 in Northampton; and 153 in Gates.

The latest numbers from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed just over 2,800 new COVID-19 cases on Oct. 30. That increased the overall number of cases to 271,830 since March. There have been 4,332 deaths statewide.

“As we head into cooler weather and the holiday season, we do not want to let our guard down,” said R. Battle Betts, Jr., ARHS Health Director. “Spending time with family and friends brings us all great joy, but we have to do it in a safe manner. It is so important to wear a mask, maintain social distance, limit any gathering to a small number of people and wash your hands frequently. These simple actions can protect our loved ones and slow the spread of the virus.”