A 39th Lee County resident has died from COVID-19, the county health department reported Wednesday.
Details about the patient were not disclosed in accordance with health privacy laws.
“We are saddened to report another COVID-19 death in Lee County and we offer our condolences to the family and friends of the individual who has lost their life,” said Lee County Health Director Heath Cain. “The COVID-19 trends in Lee County are troubling. We are seeing a surge in new cases over the past week and the number of COVID-19 deaths have more than doubled since early October. We implore the public to please follow the advice and guidance of health care professionals so we may help slow the spread of this virus before we reach a point that it overwhelms our healthcare systems.”
Wednesday’s death was the eighth to occur in December. As of the last update from the county on Monday, 3,183 county residents had tested positive, with 603 of the cases considered active. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services COVID dashboard, which tracks cases more frequently, on Wednesday showed Lee County with a total of 3,228 positive tests.
The Lee County Health Department in partnership with Optum Health and NCDHHS will provide community testing at the Piggly Wiggly in Broadway on Saturday, December 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, December 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please visit lhi.care/covidtesting; if internet is not available or if you are scheduling for a minor, please call (877) 562-4850.