By Natalie Anderson
natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — County officials on Monday reported that one individual not associated with a congregate care facility died from COVID-19, bringing the county’s death total to 39.

That news came on the same day that officials also reported one resident and one employee, both from Rowan County, have tested positive at Laura Springs Road Home, an intellectual disabilities care facility located on Laura Springs Drive. The facility is small compared to the number of beds at places with outbreaks here. The state, though, now considers the intellectual disabilities care facility the fifth outbreak — two or more cases — in the county.

Additionally, the total number of cases at congregate care facilities increased to 216 on Monday as an additional two residents at the Citadel tested positive on Saturday, and three employees at the N.C. State Veterans Home tested positive Sunday. Those additional cases are among the total 114 positive residents and 40 positive employees at the Citadel as well as the 37 positive veterans and 10 positive employees at the Veterans Home.

A total of 772 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in the county, which is an increase of 38 since Saturday. Of those, 288 are currently positive.

Of the 39 deaths, 21 are from the Citadel, 15 are from the N.C. State Veterans Home and three aren’t associated with a congregate care facility. The average age of the deaths is 84.

Recoveries rose by 13 on Monday and are now at 445. Hospitalizations have also risen, now at 17, compared to 14 on Saturday.

A total of 120 additional individuals have been tested since Saturday, totaling 4,245. County spokesperson TJ Brown said the increase in cases is attributed to the increase in testing conducted by the county. He added Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen has encouraged protestors, among others gathering in large groups, to get tested.

Statewide, a total of 36,484 cases have been confirmed after 520,113 tests. A total of 1,006 individuals have died, and 739 are currently being hospitalized across the state.

The state also reported on Monday that child protective services and adult protective services workers are deemed first responders, which will allow them to access protective equipment for any face-to-face contact with adults, children and families.

The average age of positive individuals in Rowan County continues to drop and is now at 48.4. Individuals aged 18-35 comprise the plurality of cases at 214, and the next highest age group is those above 65, at 199 cases. Individuals aged 36-50 comprise 184 cases, the 51-64 age group comprises 133 cases and children make up 42 of the total cases.

A total of 476 white individuals have tested positive, along with 136 black individuals, three Asian individuals, 233 Hispanic individuals, one American Indian/Alaskan native individual, 88 unknown and 68 classified as other.

A total of 382 females and 390 males have tested positive for COVID-19.

Zip code 28147 remains the area with the most cases, now at 332. Zip code 28144 has 197 cases, and zip code 28146 has 77 cases.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.