Wilkes County Reports Tenth Death Related to COVID-19

The Wilkes County Health Department is reporting the tenth COVID-19 associated death in Wilkes County.

The individual died on July 31st from complications associated with the virus. The patient was in their 60’s with underlying health conditions. To protect the families’ privacy, no further information about these patients will be released.

“On behalf of the Wilkes County Local Health Department and Government, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family”, stated Rachel Willard, Health Director. “This unfortunate situation is a reminder that we should continue to follow social distancing to protect ourselves and those around us, especially those who are at an increased risk, and who are most vulnerable.”

As of this afternoon Wilkes County has 724 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 639 recoveries, and 11 currently hospitalized. As of July 31st, NC DHHS is reporting 122,148 cases, 1,229 hospitalizations, and 1,924 deaths related to COVID-19. 

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, we would recommend you be tested. This means if you are sick with a fever, cough or other mild symptoms, call your healthcare provider or Wilkes Health. Please do not just show up to a doctor’s office without calling first. This will help your provider prepare should you need to be tested and lessen the potential exposure to others.

If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.

Wilkes Health also wants to remind the public that community transmission is happening in Wilkes County. Every person is a potential carrier, even if no symptoms are present, so it’s urgent that every person -sick or healthy- stay home to the fullest extent possible and help break the chain of transmission. Wilkes Health wants to continue to encourage people to protect themselves to help lessen the spread of COVID-19 in our community. There are many ways we can all protect ourselves and our communities.