‘Sobering reminder of what’s at stake.’ Gaston Co. reports first death from coronavirus
Gaston County reported its first death related to COVID-19 Thursday as North Carolina cases continue to rise.
The Gaston County person was in their 80s and had underlying health issues, according to the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services. The person died Wednesday evening. Officials did not release the person’s name.
Gaston County reported 34 cases of COVID-19 Thursday morning. Fifteen of those people have since recovered, according to the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services.
“We know we have to take this threat seriously, not just for our own health but for the health and safety of our most vulnerable populations,” department Director Chris Dobbins said in a statement. “This is a sobering reminder of what’s at stake and why it’s so important for our community to continue to support our local efforts and each other.”
The death is at least the 16th in North Carolina from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
On March 29, Mecklenburg County reported its first death related to the coronavirus. Health Director Gibbie Harris said the person who died was 60 years old and had previous underlying health issues. On the same day, Buncombe County also reported its first death, a person who died in a hospital in Asheville. Few details were released. Buncombe County Health and Human Services officials described the person who died as an “elderly individual.”
Mecklenburg reported its second death on Wednesday.
North Carolina’s first death from COVID-19 was confirmed March 25 in Cabarrus County. There, officials said a man in his 70s died after contracting the disease. Health officials said the man had underlying health conditions. A second person, from Virginia, also died in Cabarrus County while traveling on March 25, the Charlotte Observer has previously reported. The Virginia resident is not included in North Carolina’s statewide total.
This is a developing story. Check back for more.
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