UPDATE: Two more COVID deaths reported in Columbus

County of Columbus

State numbers show 27 more cases here since Monday, while the county reports 34.

Columbus County saw two more COVID-19 related deaths since Monday, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

The new local death toll stands at 48. Whiteville and Tabor City had one fatality each since the last numbers were reported by the county, the state DHHS website said. Both patients died in area hospitals on Aug. 5.

The county also reports a total of 868 cases since the pandemic began in March, with 34 new patients since Monday. Three current cases were reassigned to other counties, according to the Health Department. Six are hospitalized. 
One new case was reported Aug. 3, 14 on Aug. 4, another 14 on Aug. 5, and five new cases on Aug. 6 (today). Approximately 111 active cases are being monitored in the county, and around 709 people have recovered, according to the Health Department report. More than 10,240 tests have been administered.

Earlier this week, Gov. Roy Cooper extended Phase Two of the state’s response for the third time. State officials will reevaluate the move Sept. 11. While hospitalizations are still high, Cooper said, he noted that they appear to be levelling off.

The state Department of Health and Human Services reported today that 1,147 people currently are hospitalized with the virus. The state averages cases by the week, and in recent days, Cooper said, the numbers have been flattening. More than 1,000 people have been admitted to hospitals with COVID-19 since July 4.

The state has seen numbers falling in the number of new cases since mid July. The newest number of lab-confirmed patients in the state was 131,267 today, with an additional 1,979 since last week. The total number of deaths statewide is 2,092. More than 1.9 million tests have been administered and recoveries are estimated at 105,000.

The Health Department issues new data on Monday and Thursday of each week. See the related story on free COVID-19 testing sites elsewhere on this website.

  • Front Page

    Stomach Bug Closes Hallsboro-Artesia

    Hallsboro Artesia Elementary School closed at 12:15 p.m. today, and will remain closed tomorrow due to an outbreak of a stomach virus. The county school system made the announcement this morning shortly before noon. Classes [Read More]
  • Front Page

    Mom’s Friend Charged in Murder Case

    The reported boyfriend of the mother of a woman found dead in April has been arrested. Brandon Wayne Mincey, 41, of Country Village Estates, Hallsboro, is being held under $750,000 secured bond. He faces one [Read More]
  • staff art
    Lead Story

    Two Injured in Monday Shootings

    Two shootings were reported in Columbus County on Monday, but neither victim sustained life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff’s office. Just after 1 p.m., a teenager reported that he was walking on a road in [Read More]
  • Dory
    Lead Story

    Museum Makes a Splash in June

    The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville (NCMNS) will be making a splash during the month of June as they explore creatures who live on the land and in the sea. Come and [Read More]
About Jefferson Weaver 1386 Articles
Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and the News Director for WTXY AM1540 & Kool 103.9FM Radio. He can be reached at (910) 632-4965, or by email at jeffersonweaver@ColumbusCountyNews.com.