Rockingham County reports its first death due to coronavirus complications
Rockingham County reported its first death due to coronavirus complications Wednesday evening.
The patient was in their 60s and had several underlying medical conditions, a news release from Rockingham County Department of Health and Human Services said.
No further information was released, the release said.
Two people have tested positive with coronavirus in Rockingham County as of Wednesday morning, according to DHHS.
It is the state’s 15th death. Mecklenburg and Bertie County residents also succumbed after complications due to the virus Wednesday.
As of Wednesday, more than 1,600 people have tested positive for coronavirus in North Carolina. However, there are likely more cases because health officials are not testing people with mild symptoms.
Rockingham County is roughly a two-hour drive northwest of Raleigh, on North Carolina’s border with Virginia.
“My prayers and condolences go out to the family at this difficult time,” said Susan Young, the county’s Interim Health Director, in the release.
“We want to reiterate the importance of citizens staying home until further direction from our government and health leadership,” said Lance Metzler, Rockingham County Manager, in the release .
DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said this week that the state expects there to be a confirmed case in every county in the coming days, or at least by the end of the week.