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The death toll from the COVID-19 virus increased again this week in the Roanoke-Chowan area.

Two residents of Hertford County and one from Bertie County passed away due to complications with the virus.

According to Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS), one of the Hertford County deaths was an individual over the age of 65 while the other was between the ages of 25-49. The Bertie County resident that succumbed to the virus this week was over the age of 65.

None of the three deaths are related to the recent outbreaks at congregate care facilities in the local area.

The death toll from COVID-19 in the Roanoke-Chowan area now stands at 55. Hertford County has nearly one-half of those with 27. Eleven of those deaths have been at Accordius Creekside Care and Rehab in Ahoskie. There, an outbreak involves 55 residents and 21 staff members.

Northampton has reported 17 deaths; there have been eight deaths in Bertie County, and three in Gates County.

As far as the number of positive cases since the outbreak began in March, ARHS reports the following:

Bertie County – 530 lab confirmed case: 8 active, and 514 recovered;

Gates County – 118 lab confirmed cases: 22 active, and 93 recovered; and

Hertford County – 667 lab confirmed cases: 107 active, and 533 recovered.

As of Thursday (Sept. 17), the Northampton County Health Department reported 442 total positive cases since March, of which 53 are currently active with 372 recoveries.

COVID-19 testing is performed Tuesdays at the Northampton County Health Department by appointment only for Northampton County citizens. Please call 252-534-5841 Monday through Friday (8:30 am-5:00 pm) for information regarding testing or to make an appointment for testing.

Considerations for who should get tested:

People who have symptoms of COVID-19;

People who have had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with someone with confirmed COVID-19; and

People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local or state health department.

If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.