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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed two people have now died as a result of COVID-19 in Charlotte County following three weeks of increasing positive cases and having a community wide outbreak.

“The Piedmont District of the Virginia Department of Health can confirm that two residents of Charlotte County passed away this week as a result of COVID-19. The age and gender of the deceased cannot be released for confidentiality reasons,” Piedmont Health District Director Dr. Robert Nash said. “Our prayers and condolences are with the families, and friends in the community.”

For the third week in a row, Charlotte County has seen a significant jump in COVID-19 cases.

As of Wednesday, that number was 18 new cases in one week bring the total to 202 positive cases since March. Charlotte County has seen 60 new COVID-19 cases since Oct. 5.

The VDH is linking the spread to an inside four-day church revival event held at Emmanuel Bible Church, located at 401 Southern Drive in Keysville from Sept. 20 through Sept. 23. The church has said many who attended the services became sick with coronavirus.

“Not adhering to mitigation measures caused a community-wide outbreak.” Nash said.

Nash said the county will likely see more cases. “These cases will trigger secondary and third generation cases from contacts,” he said. “Until we get a safe and effective vaccine it’s going to be up to all of us to control the outbreak”

According to the Piedmont Health District and the VDH Coronaviruses Database, prior to the week of Sept. 20, Charlotte County positive COVID-19 cases were on the decline.

Calls and emails to Emmanuel Bible Church have not been returned. The churches website notes that their next scheduled function, a gospel music concert scheduled for Oct. 24 has been canceled “due to the COVID cases in the area.”