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The number of new positive cases of COVID-19 in Halifax County has risen to 105 over last week’s report, the health department reported today.

The almost doubling in the number of new positives since last week brings the cumulative number of positive cases since March of last year to 5,892.

The department reported that 5,602 patients — 95.63 percent — have recovered. There are 140 active cases — 2.39 percent. There have been 116 deaths related to the virus.

Halifax County Health Director Bruce Robistow attributes the rise in cases to the mutation of the original virus. “As viruses do when the opportunity arises, they will become stronger and mutate whenever they feel threatened. Our first round of vaccines definitely slowed the progress of COVID-19. However, not continuing with the high level of vaccines allowed Covid-19 the opportunity to mutate and come out twice as strong as it originally was.”

Asked if there was a sense of complacency following a trend of lower numbers, the health director said, “Yes, that’s exactly what happened. We beat the virus but didn’t kill it, allowing it to regroup and come back stronger.”

What needs to happen as numbers increase is “we need to get back to strong mask-wearing and everyone needs to get vaccinated or this virus will continue to mutate and get stronger each time.”

The target number for herd immunity in the county is 70 percent, he said. “One-hundred percent would be the ultimate goal but 70 percent will render herd immunity effective. The upcoming school year and keeping the kids in school throughout the school year is a strong motivator for putting differences aside and just getting vaccinated.”

Robistow said the Weldon and Halifax County school systems are already onboard with mandating masks for all staff and students in grades kindergarten through 12.

The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District is expected to vote on the matter at its meeting Tuesday.

Total number of positives by ZIP code beginning March 25, 2020 through today  

Enfield (27823) – 822 cases

Halifax (27839) – 279 cases 

Hobgood (27843) – 128 cases 

Hollister (27844) – 290 cases

Littleton (27850) – 498 cases 

Roanoke Rapids (27870) – 3,165 cases 

Scotland Neck (27874) – 467 cases

Weldon (27890) – 254 cases

Cases by Date of Earliest Illness Identification and Race/Ethnicity 

The numbers for the past week increased.

Percent Positive of COVID-19 Cases 

The percentage of positives has increased over the past week with an average of 8.3 percent as of today.

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

Although the number of COVID-19 cases in congregate living peaked the week of January 30, the numbers for the past week increased.

Halifax County Vaccination Status 

22,119 people at least partially vaccinated —  44 percent of the population

20,053 people fully vaccinated — 40 percent of the population