The number of people known to have died due to COVID-19 in Weld County increased to 51 on Sunday night, putting the county in the position of having the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the state.

There are 784 known cases in Weld County, according to county data updated Sunday evening. Health officials believe the actual number of cases is much higher because many have had issues getting tested for the virus.

Weld County has the fifth-highest case rate in the state, according to state data. Among counties with populations of 100,000 or more people, Weld County has the highest case rate.

Statewide, more than 7,300 cases have been identified, and more than 1,400 of those cases have required hospitalization. Nearly 300 people have died across the state.

Dr. Mark Wallace, executive director of the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, has said Weld County may have such a high number of cases and deaths due to outbreaks at nursing homes, a concentration of essential industries in the county and less cooperation with physical distancing measures.

As of this past Wednesday, Weld officials said 14 COVID-19 deaths were at long-term care facilities, where 81 cases had been identified. State officials have identified 68 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities.

— Trevor Reid covers public safety issues for the Greeley Tribune. Connect with Trevor at (970) 392-4492, treid@greeleytribune.com or on Twitter, @treid71.