63 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Reported In Iredell Over Weekend

MOORESVILLE, NC — The spread of COVID-19 in Iredell County increased by at least 63 newly confirmed cases over the weekend, increasing the county's tally to 1,567 positive cases, county health officials said Monday afternoon.

As of Monday, 20 Iredell County residents were hospitalized for COVID-19 illness, and 18 residents had died from the virus, according to Iredell County Health Department.

Out of the total tally of known cases in the county, 451 residents who had tested positive remained isolating in their homes as of Monday and an estimated 1,078 cases were assumed recovered, ICHD said.

North Carolina's total number of COVID-19 cases rose by 1,625 newly confirmed cases Monday, increasing the number of known cases of the virus to 114,338. While the number of COVID-19 cases rose throughout the state, there was a sliver of good news: the number of patients of hospitalized with coronavirus-related illness dropped slightly for the fourth day in a row.

SEE ALSO: NC COVID-19 Update: Hospitalizations Down Fourth Day In A Row

Friday, Iredell County health officials urged residents to use caution when participating in summer gatherings or taking family vacations with extended family.

"It has been a difficult four months since Iredell County Health Department was notified of our first local COVID-19 case," Iredell County Health Department said in a statement Friday afternoon. "While our County is testing many more people, an increase in our positive rate is a clear indication there is an overall rise in community spread of COVID-19."

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"Since our County is currently experiencing a higher community transmission rate of COVID-19, there is a higher risk of COVID-19 spreading during local gatherings at this time," ICHD said.

"The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19," ICHD said. "This would be especially true for extended family summer vacations."

Iredell County health officials are grouping cases into three regions of the county: North, Central and South. Here's a breakdown of where cases have been confirmed as of 4 p.m. Monday, July 27:

North Region (zip codes 27020, 27028, 27055, 28625, 28634, 28636, 28660, 28689 and 28678)

• 338 cases (up from 326 cases reported July 24)

Central Region (zip codes 27013, 28166, 28677)

• 624 cases (up from 601 cases reported July 24)

South Region (zip codes 28036, 28115, 28117, 28125)

• 605 cases (up from 577 cases reported July 24)

Iredell County Health Department will hold a community COVID-19 testing event in Mooresville this week. Anyone may be tested and there is no out-of-pocket expense, organizers said. The July 30 event will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church, located at 217 Brawley School Road in Mooresville from 9 a.m. until noon.

SEE ALSO:

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• Coronavirus Spread In Iredell Prompts Party, Vacation Warnings
• Mooresville Graded Schools To Begin School Year Virtually
• COVID-19 Testing: No-Cost Mooresville Event Set For July 30