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It’s been a deadly week thus far in Bertie County where COVID-19 has claimed five more victims.

On Monday, Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) received notification confirming three additional deaths associated with COVID-19 in Bertie County residents. Each individual was over the age of 65. These deaths are related to the facility outbreak at Three Rivers Health and Rehabilitation in Windsor.

ARHS officials on Tuesday reported two more COVID-related deaths in Bertie County. Both patients were over the age of 65. One death was associated with the facility outbreak at Windsor House.

To date, 19 Bertie County citizens have died due to the virus. Five of those deaths have been at the Windsor House, where late last week there were 23 residents and 10 staff members that had tested positive for COVID-19. Three Rivers Health and Rehab had 28 residents and 12 staff members with the virus as of last Friday.

Locally there have been 76 COVID-related deaths (35 in Hertford County; 19 each in Bertie and Northampton; and three in Gates County).

As of Tuesday, Hertford County has seen 844 of its citizens test positive for the virus since March. Those positive cases are also high in Bertie (695), Northampton (543), and Gates (162).

Statewide as of Oct. 20, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 248,750 positive cases since March along with 3,992 deaths.

Health officials are still stressing the need for citizens to practice preventive and safety measures, to include:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Practice social distancing; stay at least six feet away from others, avoid unnecessary travel, avoid handshakes, hugs and other close contact.

Wear a cloth face covering in public when social distancing measures are hard to maintain.