Halifax County this morning reported two more positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 31.

Of those positive cases, 11 have recovered, according to an update from Halifax County Public Health System Director Bruce Robistow.

There has been one COVID-19 related death in the county.

As of a 3 p.m. report on Wednesday, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety reported there are now six positive cases of the novel coronavirus at Caledonia Correctional Institution. Seven inmates have been tested and one tested negative.

Northampton County

As of its report Wednesday evening, the Northampton County Health Department said one potential death has been confirmed to the department by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

“Northampton County Health Department has been investigating cases of COVID-19 in our community, both in individual settings and outbreak settings,” the department said in its update. “Part of that investigation also includes looking for possible COVID-19 related death events.”

The department said it was informed it had a potential COVID-19 related death by the state. “Northampton County Health Department offers its sincerest sympathy to the family of this case and for all families and individuals impacted by COVID illness.”

This death occurred a few weeks ago, the county said. “At the time the cause of death did not include a COVID diagnosis, and in fact, the COVID test did not come back as positive until after the individual's death. So the death was not initially reported as COVID-related.”

According to NCDHHS, a novel coronavirus COVID-19-associated death is defined for surveillance purposes as a death resulting from a clinically compatible illness that was confirmed to be COVID-19 by an appropriate laboratory test. “There should be no period of complete recovery between COVID-19 diagnosis and death. Based on this case definition and an investigation into the illness of the case patient, NCDHHS is classifying this event as a COVID-19 related death.”

Said the update: “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, we will not be sharing any further information. We are continuing to investigate all COVID-19 cases in our County and will continue to follow NCDHHS guidance on reporting of cases, outbreaks, and deaths related to COVID-19.”

The county Wednesday added four additional COVID-19 positive cases to report bringing its total to 69.