The Moore County Health Department has been notified of the deaths of 24 Moore County residents whose deaths were determined to be related to COVID-19 infection. The ages, races, ethnicities, and dates of death for the individuals are as follows:
• A Non-Hispanic white male over the age of 75 who passed away on December 11. The individual was a resident of The Greens at Pinehurst (205 Rattlesnake Trail, Pinehurst).
• A Non-Hispanic white female over the age of 75 who passed away on December 16. The individual was a resident of The Greens at Pinehurst.
• A Non-Hispanic white male over the age of 75 who passed away on December 16. The individual was a resident of The Greens at Pinehurst.
• A Non-Hispanic white female over the age of 75 who passed away on December 20. The individual was a resident of The Greens at Pinehurst.
• A Non-Hispanic African American male over the age of 75 who passed away on December 22. The individual was a resident of The Greens at Pinehurst.
• A Non-Hispanic white male between the ages of 65-74 who passed away on December 27. The individual was a resident of The Greens at Pinehurst.
• A Non-Hispanic white male over the age of 75 who passed away on December 27. The individual was a resident of The Greens at Pinehurst.
• A Non-Hispanic white male between the ages of 65-74 who passed away on December 29. The individual was a resident of The Greens at Pinehurst.
• A Non-Hispanic female over the age of 75 who passed away on January 1. (Individual’s race is unknown at this time. Demographic data will be updated when it becomes available.)
• A Non-Hispanic African American female between the ages of 65-74 who passed away on January 7.
• A Non-Hispanic white male over the age of 75 who passed away on January 9.
• A Non-Hispanic white male over the age of 75 who passed away on January 19.
• A Non-Hispanic African American male over the age of 75 who passed away on January 19.
• A Non-Hispanic white male over the age of 75 who passed away on January 21.
• A Non-Hispanic white female over the age of 75 who passed away on January 22.
• A Non-Hispanic white female over the age of 75 who passed away on January 22.
• A Non-Hispanic white male over the age of 75 who passed away on January 23.
• A Non-Hispanic white female over the age of 75 who passed away on January 23.
• A Non-Hispanic white female between the ages of 65-74 who passed away on January 23.
• A Non-Hispanic African American male between the ages of 65-74 who passed away on January 25.
• A Non-Hispanic white male over the age of 75 who passed away on January 26.
• A Non-Hispanic African American male over the age of 75 who passed away on January 26.
• A Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native female between the ages of 65-74 who passed away on January 26.
• A Non-Hispanic white female over the age of 75 who passed away on January 26.
A total of 133 deaths have now been attributed to COVID-19 thus far in Moore County since the pandemic began in March of 2020. Moore County’s total for COVID-19 deaths linked to outbreaks in long-term care facilities now stands at 70. Moore County’s 63 other COVID-19 deaths have been linked to community spread.
COVID-19 death totals for long-term care facilities in Moore are as follows:
• Peak Resources Pinelake – 15 deaths
• The Greens at Pinehurst – 11 deaths
• Magnolia Gardens – nine deaths
• Accordius Health at Aberdeen – seven deaths
• St. Joseph of the Pines – seven deaths
• Pinehurst Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center – six deaths
• Seven Lakes Assisted Living & Memory Care – four deaths
• Quail Haven Village – four deaths
• Fox Hollow – two deaths
• Penick Village – two deaths
• Elmcroft – one death
• The Coventry – one death
• Tara Plantation – one death
COVID-19 deaths include people who have had a positive laboratory test for COVID-19, who died without fully recovering from COVID-19 and who had no alternative cause of death identified. Deaths are reported by hospitals and clinicians directly to local and state health departments.
Before COVID-19 deaths are reported to the public by the Moore County Health Department, they must be confirmed and manually entered into the state’s NC COVID dashboard along with all required supportive documentation. The COVID-19 reporting process is different from the vital records death certificate process. The two systems are governed by different regulations.
To certify a death certificate, the Health Department Deputy Registrar simply verifies that the form is filled out correctly and is signed by the attending physician or medical examiner. COVID-19 reporting requires confirmation of the COVID diagnosis involving acquiring and reviewing laboratory reports and medical records before reporting this information to the State. Once this has been accomplished the death may be locally reported as a confirmed COVID death. Sometimes there is difficulty in obtaining records and confirming the cases. Thus, COVID-19 deaths may not be reported to the public immediately after an individual’s death certificate has been completed.
Moore County Health Department also acknowledges that there have been recent delays in statistical reporting. This is due in large part to COVID-19 vaccination efforts which have taken precedence. In total, there have been 6,924 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Moore County to date.
Photo by Sandhills Sentinel Photographer John Patota.
Contributed.
