Rowan County COVID-19 case count increases to 22

Published 12:21 pm Monday, March 30, 2020

SALISBURY — From Friday to Monday, the number of COVID-19 cases in Rowan County increased from 14 to 22, according to the Rowan County Health Department.

The Rowan County Health Department announced two additional positive cases on Sunday afternoon. On Monday morning, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ online tracker included two more local cases. By Monday afternoon, there were an additional four confirmed cases in the county, according to the local heath department. No further information was released about any of the cases.

In addition to the 22 cases, one elderly person with underlying health conditions died last week after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Monday reported a total of 1,307 cases in the state with five deaths. A Virginia man also died in the state after being diagnosed with COVID-19, but he is not counted in North Carolina’s total. The state also reported 20,864 completed COVID-19 tests and 137 individuals being hospitalized due to the coronavirus.

Rowan County on Friday said 312 tests had been submitted to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. That number included 298 negative tests. The county has not provided an updated figure.

Across the state, a plurality of cases (44%) fall within the ages of 25 and 49. When the case total reached 12, Rowan County said the average age of those confirmed positive was 49.9, but it has not provided an updated average since then.

The largest number of cases in the county are located in the Salisbury area, according to the county’s zip code map of cases.

Rowan County is asking that all citizens continue to follow guidelines and orders that are currently in place to protect and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order 121 (the stay-at-home order) took effect Monday at 5 p.m. The county asks that if anyone goes out for essentials that they continue to practice recommended social distancing as well as all other health and safety guidelines.

For any questions regarding the coronavirus, including those who have symptoms and wish to be tested, individuals are encouraged to call their health care provider or the Rowan County Health Department hotline at 980-432-1800.

For information about COVID-19 locally, visit rowancountync.gov/COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services website for coronavirus information is ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus.