The Richmond County Health Department has reported three more COVID-19-related deaths of county residents since Saturday, increasing the total from 28 to 31 in three days.

The first of these patients passed early Saturday while being treated in a local hospital. The second and third died Sunday at a local hospital, though these deaths weren’t reported until Monday morning and afternoon.

Since Sept. 11, there have been 18 COVID-19-related deaths among those calling Richmond County home. For comparison, Health Director Tommy Jarrell told the Daily Journal last month that the official count of flu deaths in Richmond County hovers between five and 10 deaths each year.

On Monday, there were six new cases in the county, with 138 active cases, six patients hospitalized and 1,397 total cases. There have been 13,199 negative tests, and 1,229 people are considered recovered. The Health Department this month reported outbreaks at Hermitage Retirement Center and Morrison Correctional.

The 31 COVID-19-related deaths in Richmond County have ranged in age from 31 to 95. A further breakdown of the deaths indicate: three African American females, five African American males, 14 Caucasian females and nine Caucasian males. Twenty-three of the deceased have died in a hospital, six have died at another healthcare facility and two have died outside of a hospital or healthcare facility setting. Additionally, age ranges for the deceased are as follows:

Age Range

• 30-39: 1

• 50-59: 2

• 60-69: 9

• 70-79: 8

• 80 & up: 11

The Health Department continues to encourage everyone to practice the three W’s: wear mask, wait six feet apart and wash hands frequently.

“Please join us with your thoughts and prayers for this family today during this time of their loss,” Jarrell said in a press release.

If you have questions about COVID-19 in general or about your own need to be tested, call the Richmond County COVID-19 Hotline at 910-417-4947.