The Halifax County Health Department has decided to go forward with Monday through Friday updates on the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The health department earlier this month had chosen to go with weekly reports.

It will still release a broader report each Thursday, department Director Bruce Robistow said.

The daily information will include total positive cases, positive cases by age, ethnicity and gender as well as total number of COVID-19 related deaths. “As multiple testing sites are taking place across our county, we will no longer be able to accurately report COVID-19 pending tests, known negative test results and confirmed tests performed in Halifax County.” 

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The Thursday reports will include the positives, deaths, the number of people presumed recovered, cases by the date of earliest illness identification by race and ethnicity and the percent positive.

As of today, the health department is aware of 761 positive cases since testing began and eight deaths.

According to the ZIP code database of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the eighth death was reported within the Roanoke Rapids area ZIP code. There have been seven related deaths within the Roanoke Rapids area ZIP code and one within the Weldon area ZIP code.

Robistow said in today’s update the graph charting trends does move in a downward direction. The reason, he speculated is, “I think the number of tests is declining slightly and I hope more people are compliant with the three Ws.”

The health department encourages residents to continue to practice the three Ws by wearing a facial covering, waiting six-feet apart and washing and disinfecting hands frequently. “Improving your compliance with the 3 Ws now will better educate children as to how to practice them. Please take this opportunity to protect our children and each other very seriously.”