Seventy-two people in Lee County tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week, the Lee County Health Department reported today.

So far, 1,282 people in the county who have been tested have tested positive for the virus since March, and 11 people have died. Of that number, 1,027 have recovered and resumed normal activities, and 244 are currently being monitored.

Statewide, North Carolina has experienced 136,844 cases and 2,172 deaths. Nationally, the United States passed the 5 million case mark last week, and 161,842 people have died.

Daily updates of COVID-19 cases and demographic data specific to Lee County and statewide are available on N.C. Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Dashboard found at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/cases.

The Health Department has scheduled two COVID-19 drive-thru community testing event scheduled for Aug. 19, and Aug. 25, both from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center in Sanford.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged by calling (919) 542-4991 ext. 1015 for English or 1016 for Spanish.

Also, wear your masks.