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Neighboring Mecklenburg County has seen four more COVID-19 deaths over the weekend bringing the county’s total to 17 deaths according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

As of Tuesday, there are 178 positive cases of the virus and 26 hospitalizations in the county.

The Southside Health District which encompasses Mecklenburg County announced its first COVID-19 case in the district Friday, March 20.

In the Southside District VDH is reporting that the majority of cases are stemming from long-term health facilities. The 17 deaths puts the county in the top five in the state for death rates per 100,000 residents.

Also, as of Tuesday the Virginia Department of Health reports 1,005 new positive cases of the coronavirus in the commonwealth and five new deaths as a result of the virus.

Statewide there have been 1,014 deaths due to COVID-19. That number increased over the weekend by five cases.

According to VDH on Tuesday, the number of cases in Virginia surpassed 32,000.

For Charlotte, the positive case total is at 14 with two hospitalizations and no deaths.