The first week of September saw another increase in Franklin County COVID-19 cases. There were either 139 or 132 new cases this week, depending on which set of numbers issued by the Franklin County Health Department (FCHD) you choose to use.

The FCHD reported a total of 1,047 people had tested positive for the coronavirus on Sept. 1. The latest numbers were issued Tuesday morning, which reported the data from Monday, Sept. 7. That total positive cases number was 1,179, which would indicate 132 new cases this week. If you add the totals listed each day and add them up, you reach a total of 145, but then you would need to subtract the six cases the FCHD removed, leaving a total of 139. Either way, it’s a concerning number for the county.

Another death was also reported this week, that of a 66-year-old man from Pacific.

There was also some good news. Only one additional person was hospitalized, while four were discharged.

The total of positive cases in long-term care facilities dropped from seven to five.

As of Monday, it appears there is only one active case in Gerald, a 65-year-old woman.

There are no reported active cases in Beaufort.

Leslie has a total of nine active cases ranging in age from 20 to 76.

Across the state, there have been 9,358 new cases of COVID-19 identified since the month began with 123 deaths.