Lee County reported two deaths from COVID-19 complications on Friday, bringing the number of residents who have died to 24.

Details about the patients were not disclosed in order to protect family privacy, but the deaths brought the total from just this week to four.

“This is a sad day for Lee County as we report two additional COVID-19 deaths today,” said Lee County Health Director Heath Cain. “We offer our condolences to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones to this virus and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  COVID-19 remains a serious public health threat and we encourage everyone to take the necessary precautions to help slow and stop the spread of the coronavirus.”

COVID numbers in Lee County continue to rise. While local government reports new cases on Mondays and Thursdays, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services COVID dashboard updates more frequently, and as of Friday afternoon showed Lee County with 2,213 cases – an increase of 21 from Thursday’s county report.