By Natalie Anderson
natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — County officials reported on Monday that both the total number of COVID-19 cases and currently positive patients continue to rise in the county, with a double-digit jump for both since the weekend

A total of 912 individuals were positive Monday — a jump of 33 since Sunday and the second-biggest increase yet since the coronavirus outbreak came to Rowan County. Meanwhile, 365 of those are currently positive, as recoveries rose by 16 on Monday and are now at 507.

An additional 129 tests were conducted between Sunday’s and Monday’s update. Now, at least 4,783 tests have been conducted in Rowan County. Not all negative tests must be reported.

A total of 40 individuals have died from COVID-19, and 20 were being hospitalized Monday. Of the dead, 21 are from the Citadel, 15 are from the N.C. State Veterans Home and four aren’t associated with a congregate care facility. The average age among the dead was 83.

There are a total of 218 cases at congregate care facilities, with 154 at the Citadel; 48 at the veterans home; 10 at Liberty Commons and two at Laura Springs.

The average age of positive individuals in Rowan County continues to drop and is now at 46.4. Additionally, the number of cases among children are now at 67. Individuals age 18-35 comprise the plurality of cases at 263. Those between 36-50 have surpassed elderly individuals, and now have 224 cases compared to 208 cases among individuals 65 and older. The 51-64 age group has 150 cases.

A total of 507 white individuals have tested positive, along with 142 black individuals, three Asian individuals, 249 Hispanic individuals, one Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander individual, 177 unknown and 81 classified as other.

A total of 440 females and 472 males have tested positive for COVID-19.

Zip code 28147 remains the area with the most cases, now at 381. It’s also where the Citadel, the largest local outbreak at a congregate living facility, is located. Zip code 28144 has 220 cases and zip code 28146 has 97 cases.

Statewide, a total of 45,102 cases have been confirmed after 638,479 completed tests. A total of 1,118 individuals have died and 797 are currently being hospitalized throughout the state.

Also on Monday, state health officials announced $26 million in funding to help mitigate the economic disruption of COVID-19, which will include assistance for families facing eviction.

“With the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor’s moratorium on evictions and utility shutoffs is the only thing keeping many families in safe and stable housing,” said NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen in a news release. “This flexible funding will allow our community action agencies to continue to meet a wide array of needs in our communities, including helping families remain in their homes when the moratorium is lifted.”

Community action agencies are nonprofit organizations created by former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. To be eligible for CSBG-funded services, individuals and families must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

To apply for help, individuals can contact their local agency, the news release said. Here, it’s known as the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency. Its main office is at 1300 W. Bank St. Its phone number is 704-633-6633.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.