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The Roanoke-Chowan area experienced the loss of four more lives this week due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Three of the four deaths were reported in Hertford County. There was one death in Northampton County.

Two of the deaths in Hertford County were in the 65-and-over age range while the other was between the ages of 55-to-64. One of the Hertford County deaths was associated with the outbreak at Creekside Care and Rehabilitation in Ahoskie.

Since the outbreak began in March, there have been 89 COVID-related deaths in the Roanoke-Chowan area (39 in Hertford County; 24 in Northampton; 22 in Bertie; 23; and four in Gates County).

As of Thursday, Nov. 12, the Northampton County Health Department reported 62 active COVID-19 cases.

Albemarle Regional Health Services reported 33 active cases in Bertie County, and 19 active cases each in Gates and Hertford counties.

The number of local residents who have recovered from the virus since March is also on the rise: 843 in Hertford County; 722 in Bertie; 600 in Northampton; and 160 in Gates.

The latest numbers from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services continue to show a dramatic increase in the weekly number of lab confirmed cases statewide.