By Shavonne Potts

shavonne.potts@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The number of people who have died as a result of COVID-19 continues to climb as does the number of people who have tested positive, according to the latest report from the Rowan County Department of Public Health.

On Tuesday, the Citadel, a nursing facility owned by Accordius Health, announced it had over 75 positive cases at the center, located on Julian Road. It’s the same site that Rowan County health officials confirmed last week was one of two congregate living facilities in the county that had an outbreak — two or more cases. And the 75 cases make up a majority of the large spike in COVID-19 cases since Friday.

“The well-being of our residents and employees is always our top priority. We are closely monitoring all CDC and other CMS updates. We are following their recommendations and continue to adhere to appropriate, strict precautions and preventative measures against infection,” a spokesperson said in an email.

The statement continued, “The residents are keeping in good spirits and our quality of life staff are getting really creative with their in-room activities and ‘special’ visitors that can be seen out of their windows! Our staff is working so hard to make everyone feel good.”

Rowan County government reported that seven people have died from the virus and the disease it causes —two more than what was reported on Monday. No further information about the deaths was released. There are currently 208 people who have tested positive or 19 more people than what was released by county officials on Monday.  There have been 1,594 COVID-19 tests taken in Rowan County, with 1,386 being negative.

There were at least 12 people hospitalized and 44 who had recovered on Tuesday. Health officials are following up with 145 people. The average age of those who’ve tested positive is 62.7, an average that also continues to increase.

For the first time on Tuesday, county officials released information on the gender and racial makeup of positive tests — 120 people who are white, 50 African-American, 20 unknown, 12 white/Hispanic, two Asian and two patients whose race is listed as “other.”

More females are testing positive than males — 108 women and 100 men.

There are now 93 counties reporting that 5,024 North Carolina patients have tested positive for COVID-19. Per the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, there have been 108 deaths from the virus.

The state reports there have been 65,039 completed tests. Currently, 418 people are currently hospitalized.

Rowan County Public Health will also host a live public webinar on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in order for the community to ask questions.

• View a live stream of the webinar at www.rowancountync.gov/live
• Join using Zoom: https://rowancountync.zoom.us/j/900622500?pwd=ZHJveHNlYml6emRiQ3JpaWwwUmRBQT09 password: 04152020
• Join via smartphone one-tap: +12133388477,,900622500# or +16027530140,,900622500#
• Dial in via phone: (213) 338-8477 or (602) 753-0140 or (720) 928-9299; Webinar ID: 900 622 500; Password: 04152020

The webinar will be recorded and made available on the COVID-19 webpage.