SALISBURY — As the number of COVID-19 cases in Rowan County rises rapidly, the United Way’s relief fund was just shy of hitting the $60,000 mark on Wednesday.

With businesses across the county shuttered or operating with limited capacity, positive COVID-19 cases numbered 216 on Wednesday. Eight people have died from the disease caused by coronavirus and 51 people had recovered.

The United Way COVID-19 Relief Fund has raised $59,547 — an increase since Monday of $3,350 from 23 donations.

The fund is raising money to help local people with food insecurity, medical expenses and housing needs as well as funding for disruptions in business for nonprofits. The United Way will distribute grants of up to $10,000 to nonprofits and cover all expenses associated with the administration and distributions of the funds. It will also match public contributions with up to $120,000 of internal funds that it has reallocated to help with the relief effort.

The first nonprofit grant recipients from the fund will be announced in Sunday’s Post. After the first grant recipients, the United Way plans to continue fundraising for the relief fund.

Anyone interested in making a donation can do so at rowanunitedway.org, text the word “RELIEF” to 704-286-1011 or mail a contribution to the United Way at 131 West Innes St., Suite 201, Salisbury, N.C. 28144. Those mailing donations should address them to the attention of the COVID-19 Relief Fund. Those making a donation online should include a note in the comment section saying it’s for the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Donations made since the last update include:

• James Kelly, $100

• Daryl and Audrey Eduy, $100

• Amy Wilson, $500

• Anonymous, $300

• Larry and Jane Britt, $100

• Phyllis Richardson, $100

• Carol Pomeroy, $200

• Van and Joy Kelly, $50

• Elizabeth Kelly, $50

• Elizabeth Morgan, $100

• Karl and Mary Arthur, $100

• John and Marion McLaughlin, $200

• Calvin and Sylvia Dickerson, $100

• John and Nancy Holshouser, $200

• Joseph Williams, $100

• James and Beverly Mitchell, $100

• Eugene and Carole Hayden, $200

• Gary and Diane Molnar, $200

• Gary and Tamara Powers, $200

• Kenneth and Mary Ann Kolkebeck, $100

• Anonymous, $200

• Anonymous, $100

• Jennifer Hubbard, $100

• David and Frank Labagnara, $200