March 25. A person from Cabarrus County died March 24 from complications associated with the  COVID-19 virus. The patient was in their late seventies and had several underlying medical conditions. A second person in their sixties, from Virginia who was traveling through North Carolina also died from COVID-19 complications.

The NC Department of Health and Human Services reported the first COVID-19 associated deaths in the state.

To protect the families’ privacy, no further information about these patients will be released.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones. This is a stark warning that for some people COVID-19 is a serious illness. All of us must do our part to stop the spread by staying at home as much as possible and practicing social distancing,” said Gov. Roy Cooper.

DHHS recommends that people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 stay at home to the extent possible to decrease the chance of infection. On March 22, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated who is at high risk for severe illness.

People at high risk include anyone who:

Is 65 years of age or older
Lives in a nursing home or long-term care facility

Has a high-risk condition that includes:

Chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
Heart disease with complications
Compromised immune system
Severe obesity – body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher