ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County reported another death related to the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday, and the first local cases of the more infectious delta variant were identified.

According to Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul, the county has now seen 119 deaths associated with the coronavirus.

The latest fatality was a woman in her 70s.

According to the county health department’s information, there have been 6,518 confirmed local cases since the pandemic began, with 56 active cases as of Friday and no hospitalizations.

Sproul said 6,343 residents have recovered from infection.

The two cases of delta variant are the first ones found in Belmont County. Sproul said a parent and their 3-year-old child contracted the strain. The parent had been partially vaccinated prior to being diagnosed.

“The parent had one shot,” he said. “They are recovering.”

Sproul texted that more instances of infection by the delta variant are possible.

“They are saying the delta is a very contagious variant,” he said.

Coronavirus.ohio.gov lists 6,236 total cases and 6,010 recoveries, with 179 deaths associated with the virus in Belmont County.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available at health department headquarters at 68501 Bannock-Uniontown Road, St. Clairsville. For an appointment, call 740-695-1202.

In Harrison County, Health Department Administrator Garen Rhome said the total case count is 1,171, with 1,143 recoveries.

“We have four active cases,” he said, adding deaths related to COVID-19 remain unchanged at 24.

“But it’s four new cases in the last week, essentially Friday to Friday,” he said.

The Harrison County Health Department’s Facebook page relays information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID data tracker that indicates Ohio has recently reported 1,205 new cases, nearly doubling the 21-day average of 631 cases, with the delta variant believed to be behind the uptick. Unvaccinated people are advised to wear masks while in public, indoor locations.

Rhome said no Harrison County residents are hospitalized with the virus, and there are no known delta variant cases there yet.

According to coronavirus.ohio.gov, there are 1,154 coronavirus cases in the county, with 1,105 recoveries and 38 deaths.

The Harrison County Health Department is offering walk-in vaccinations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. No appointment is necessary. The two-shot Moderna vaccine is available to anyone 18 or older.

The health department is located at 538 N. Main St., Cadiz. The phone number is 740-942-2616.

At the Monroe County Health Department, Administrator Linda Masters reported six active cases of COVID-19 and the number of deaths unchanged at 40. She said there have been 1,384 total cases since the pandemic began and 1,338 recoveries.

So far there have been no cases of the delta variant in Monroe County.

According to coronavirus.ohio.gov, there have been 1,384 total cases and 1,329 recoveries, with 45 deaths.

Masters added that vaccination clinics are advertised in the media and available by appointment, with the next ones scheduled for 9-11 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Aug. 9 and Aug. 24 at the health department at 118 Home Ave, Woodsfield. For an appointment, call 740-472-1677. Masters said there has been some difficulty in gathering enough people together to open a vial of 10 doses.