As the Halifax County Health Department today added 31 new positive cases of the novel coronavirus to its data, Roanoke Rapids City Manager Joseph Scherer told city council Tuesday the city “urgently asks all citizens to practice the Three Ws to reduce the infection rate and help keep everyone safe.”

Scherer told the city’s governing panel a few employees have tested positive. “If the number of positive cases and hospitalizations does not decrease, we are concerned any future plans to close or restrict businesses here will lead to a large number of closures and a major blow to our economic situation in rural North Carolina which has less business locations to sustain the community than does the major population centers.”

Scherer said any attempts to roll back access to retail, food, and other business activities will not be well-received by the public and enforcement will be harder to do.”

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen specifically mentioned Halifax County in Governor Roy Cooper’s COVID-19 briefing Tuesday. “Just recently Halifax County passed a resolution talking about enforcement of the mask mandate. I think that is really positive moving forward. They are an orange county. I think that was great anticipation of going forward to do more and I hope other counties will take similar efforts to work on enforcement.”

Meanwhile, the 31 new positive cases in Halifax County bring the cumulative total since March to 1,769.

There have been 1,514 recoveries. There are 222 current cases.

There have been 33 related deaths.

The breakdown of deaths is as follows: 18 within the Roanoke Rapids area ZIP code; four within the Enfield area ZIP code; four within the Scotland Neck area ZIP code; three within the Weldon area ZIP code; two within the Littleton area ZIP code; one within the Halifax area ZIP code; and one within the Hollister area ZIP code. 

According to a demographics chart from NCDHHS, 24 percent of the deaths in the county have occurred within the 50-64 age range; 18 percent have occurred within the 65-74 age range; and 58 percent within the 75 and older age range.

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Daily Lab Confirmed Cases

Today’s chart shows a sustained increase in the trend.

Cases by Date of Earliest Illness Identification and Race/Ethnicity

Although the county peaked the week of July 25, numbers for the past week have surpassed that mark.

Percent Positive of COVID-19 Cases

The percent positive shows an increase over the past week, with a two week average of 10.3 percent.

Cases by Date of Earliest Illness Identification and Age  

Ages 25-49 represent the largest age groups who have tested positive this past week.

Cases by Date of Earliest Illness Identification and Congregate Living Setting Association

This number has decreased over the past week after peaking the week of July 4.

Testing

Parks and recreation director John Simeon told council Tuesday night that free COVID-19 testing will be held at Kirkwood Adams November 23, 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The health department said in a statement today the testing is being offered through the state and OptumServe.

While walk-ups are accepted, residents are encouraged to register and schedule an appointment at this link https://lhi.care/covidtesting. 

Anyone who meets the virus testing criteria can be tested, including people who are underinsured, uninsured, undocumented or homeless. 

Those without internet or who are registering a minor should call 877-562-4850.