The first death related to COVID-19 has been reported in Henderson County.

The elderly individual died Thursday at Pardee Hospital from complications associated with the virus, according to a news release from the Henderson County Dept. of Public Health.

The individual had underlying medical conditions, according to a media spokesperson for Pardee. They declined to provide the age and gender of the person. No other details have been released.

As of Friday morning, there are 22 confirmed cases in Henderson County, with one death.

Henderson County and all of its municipalities have issued an order to stay at home for all people in the county. The order went into effect last Saturday. The state of North Carolina is also under a stay at home order.

"It is imperative that we all comply with the directives of the order, which include no gatherings of any number of people outside of a single household or living unit for any reason and strict guidance to eliminate all non-essential travel, services, or exposure to people outside of your immediate family unit," the release states.

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, the health department urges everyone to take precautions to protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19 in these ways:

o Stay home

o Avoid contact with persons that you know are sick

o Cover your cough (cough into the crook of your elbow; or use a tissue and throw in trash)

o Practice good hand hygiene (wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing)

o If you do not have access to soap and water use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol

o Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces with household cleaners

Routine use of these measures by everyone will decrease the spread of viruses and respiratory diseases in the community, according to the health department.

To stay up to date on COVID-19 in North Carolina, visit ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus or text COVIDNC to 898211. Call 2-1-1 (or 888-892-1162) for general questions or for help finding human services resources in the community.