By Natalie Anderson
natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The number of recoveries in Rowan County rose by 19 on Thursday after the total number of cases grew to 1,090.

That’s an increase of 18 from one day earlier. Recoveries now total 796, and 16 people are currently being hospitalized, which amounts to two fewer people than Wednesday. The number of currently positive cases decreased by one Thursday and is now at 253. A total of 6,119 tests have been reported.

A total of 41 people in the county have died from COVID-19, with all but five from congregate care facilities. No new deaths were reported Thursday, and the average age among the deaths is 83. A total of 221 people in the county have tested positive at congregate care facilities.

Statewide, a total of 57,183 people have been confirmed positive after 811,278 completed tests. A total of 891 were being hospitalized, which is a decrease of 15 from one day earlier. Additionally, 1,290 people have died from COVID-19 across the state.

County officials announced on Thursday that residents of the Salisbury Housing Authority will have access to free testing on July 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Salisbury Housing Authority Maintenance Compound, located at 200 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue South. Additionally, residents can be tested on July 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lafayette Circle, located at 942 E. Lafayette St.

Additionally, free face coverings will be provided to the public at the West End Plaza, located at 1935 W. Jake Alexander Boulevard, on July 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

County officials also said Thursday that a Spanish-language eviction hotline is available to help navigate the state’s legal system at 919-590-9165.

Additionally, the advocacy group Siembra-NC has teamed up with the UNC School of Law to set up the CARES Act Eviction Information Line. The hotline can help callers determine if they’re eligible for protection under the federal CARES Act.

NCCARE360 is a statewide coordinated care network able to refer those in need to a wide array of assistance providers who can help navigate health, housing, employment and transportation. Those who need assistance with whole-person care such as food, housing, transportation, employment and interpersonal safety can visit www.nccare360.org.

In other local statistics:

• The average age among positive cases remains at 45, with the plurality of cases among individuals aged 18-35 at 326 cases. Those aged 36-50 comprise 271 cases, while the 51-64 age group makes up 174 cases. Those aged 65 and older comprise 227 cases. A total of 92 people under the age of 18 have tested positive.

• Of the 1,090 cases, 655 have been among white residents, 158 among Black residents, 369 among Hispanic residents, four Asian residents, two American Indian/Alaskan Native residents and one Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. A total of 134 are classified as others and 136 are considered unknown.

• About 52% of cases are among men, at 568. Women comprise 522 cases.

• The Salisbury zip code 28147 has the most cases, with 415, but it’s also the location of the largest nursing home outbreak in the county, the Citadel. Next is 28144, with 257 cases, and 28146, with 127 cases. 

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.