FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two more people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Iredell County have died.

The Iredell County Health Department on Thursday reported the county’s 49th and 50th deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus since the onset of the pandemic in March. Health officials do not release personal information about individuals who test positive for COVID-19, including those who pass away.

In addition to the latest deaths, health officials reported 59 new laboratory confirmed cases on Thursday, pushing the total number of COVID-19 cases in Iredell to 4,601.

Twenty-three people who have tested positive are currently hospitalized and another 624 people are isolating at home.

Some 3,904 people who have tested positive in Iredell are now presumed recovered, although they may develop long-term health issues in the future.

County officials continue urging residents to wear face coverings, practice social distancing and wash their hands frequently.

Across the United States, there have been 10.6 million cases, including the 143,000 new cases reported Thursday. With the 1,431 deaths reported Thursday, COVID-19 has now claimed 242,000 lives in the U.S.