By Natalie Anderson
natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The county reported on Thursday that an individual not associated with a congregate care facility has died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 40.

Of the 40, 21 have been from the Citadel, 15 from the N.C. State Veterans Home and four weren’t associated with a congregate care facility. The average age of those deaths is 83.

Additionally, 29 individuals tested positive on Thursday after 46 additional tests were reported. A total of 830 individuals have now tested positive for COVID-19 after a total of 4,353 tests. Of the 830 cases, a total of 309 are currently positive, which is an increase of seven since Wednesday. A total of 481 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 in the county.

The number of hospitalizations dropped on Thursday and is now at 16, compared to 18 on Wednesday.

An additional resident of Liberty Commons has tested positive, bringing the total to four positive employees and six positive residents. The total of congregate care cases now is 217.

Statewide, a total of 39,481 cases have been confirmed after 572,677 tests. A total of 1,064 individuals have died, and 812 are currently being hospitalized across the state.

The average age of positive individuals in Rowan County continues to drop and is now at 47.5. Additionally, the number of cases among children rose by nine on Thursday and is now at 52. Individuals aged 18-35 comprise the plurality of cases at 233, and the next highest age group is those above 65, at 202 cases. Individuals aged 36-50 comprise 202 cases and the 51-64 age group comprises 141 cases.

A total of 484 white individuals have tested positive, along with 138 Black individuals, three Asian individuals, 239 Hispanic individuals, one Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander individual, 130 unknown and 73 classified as other.

A total of 409 females and 421 males have tested positive for COVID-19.

Zip code 28147 remains the area with the most cases, now at 359. It’s also where the Citadel, the largest local outbreak at a congregate living facility, is located. Zip code 28144 has 206 cases, and zip code 28146 has 87 cases.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.