FROM STAFF REPORTS

Iredell health officials on Friday reported 85 new laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 along with the county’s 59th death attributed to the novel coronavirus.

There have been 14 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the county so far this month. The Iredell County Health Department does not release personal information about the individuals who die from COVID-19.

According to the latest report, there have now been 5,207 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iredell since the pandemic began in March, including nearly 2,000 new cases in November.

Twenty-six people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iredell, and 923 people who have tested positive are isolating at home.

Health officials estimate that 4,199 people who tested positive have recovered, although some may develop long-term health issues.

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

Following a surge in the number of infections across the U.S. in the past three weeks, the CDC has encouraged Americans not to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday.

There have been more than 12 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 254,000 deaths reported.