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Even as local residents are patiently waiting for their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the death toll from the virus continues to rise in the Roanoke-Chowan area.

Four more lives were lost this week: two in Bertie County (both over the age of 65), and one each in Hertford County (over the age of 65) and Northampton County.

Since pandemic began in March of last year, there have been 66 deaths from the virus in Northampton County; 58 in Hertford County; 41 in Bertie County; and 12 in Gates County.

In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, Albemarle Regional Health Services has scheduled second dose clinics next week for those receiving the Moderna vaccine. Locally, those clinics will be held:

Monday, Feb 15: from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. at Bertie High School, located at 715 US Hwy 13 North, Windsor;

Monday, Feb. 15: from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. at the Gates County Health Department, located at 29 Medical Center Road, Gates;

Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. at the Ahoskie Creek Amphitheater, located at 125 Edgewood Drive, Ahoskie; and

Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. at Bertie High School, located at 715 US Hwy 13 North, Windsor.

These clinics are for those who received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine on or before Jan. 22.

Please plan to attend the clinic in the county where you received your first dose. You will need to bring the vaccine card you received with your first dose with you to this clinic. If you do not have your card, you may experience additional delays, or may be turned away and rescheduled because we have to verify your first dose for your safety.

As of Feb. 12, there were 58 active COVID cases in Hertford County; 43 in Gates County; 28 in Bertie County; and 19 in Northampton County.

The number of local individuals who have recovered from the virus also continues to rise: 1,759 in Hertford County; 1,518 in Bertie; 1,516 in Northampton; and 556 in Gates.