By Natalie Anderson
natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — County health officials reported on Saturday that only two additional individuals from Rowan County tested positive for COVID-19 as the state saw its biggest one-day jump in cases.

An additional 1,107 cases of COVID-19 were reported to the state on Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 22,725 cases. Friday’s total number of cases statewide was 21,618.

Statewide, a total of 329,582 tests have been completed. The state reported that 10% of the total tests were positive among both negative and positive testing results reported to the state’s system. A total of 737 individuals have died, and 589 are currently being hospitalized.

“This is a notable and concerning increase,” said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen in a news release. “As we head into a holiday weekend, please practice the three Ws – wear a face covering, wait six feet apart and wash your hands frequently. When it comes to our health, we need to work together to protect our families, friends and neighbors.”

NCDHHS epidemiologists are analyzing the data to determine any significant contributing factors.

In Rowan County, a total of 598 individuals have tested positive, with 318 recoveries. Of the 598 total cases, 253 individuals are currently positive, and 10 are being hospitalized. A total of 3,314 tests have been conducted.

The small increase comes a day after the county saw a jump of 18 cases reported on Friday. No additional recoveries have occurred since Friday.

County spokesperson TJ Brown said one case from about 10 days ago was transferred today after it was discovered the individual didn’t reside in Rowan County.

The county data has remained unchanged in its number of deaths. Of the total 27 deaths, 19 have been at the Citadel, seven at the Veterans Home and one not associated with a congregate care facility.

In other COVID-19 statistics:

• The average age for positive individuals is 51.4. Individuals age 65 and older make up the plurality of cases, at 180, and the 51-64 age group has now reached 107 cases. However, ages 36-50 and 18-35 continue to climb — at 142 and 146 cases, respectively. A total of 23 cases are among children younger than 18 years old.
• Of the positive cases, 359 individuals are white, 125 are black or African American, three are Asian, one is American Indian/Alaskan Native, 133 are Hispanic, 80 are unknown and 30 are other.
• Females still make up the majority of positive cases, at 309, while males represent 289 positive cases.
• Zip code 28147, which is where the Citadel nursing home is located, remains the area of the county with the most positive cases, at 259. Next is 28144, a Salisbury zip code, with 165 cases. Zip code 28146, which includes part of Salisbury and a large swath of eastern Rowan, currently has 64 positive cases.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.