LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace on Wednesday reported Lake County’s second death related to COVID-19.
In a brief statement, Pace said the patient “died with a COVID-19-related illness.”
He said the individual was over age 60, had underlying medical conditions and was sick for a few weeks prior to dying.
“To protect the privacy of this person and their family, we will not be giving out any further information at this time,” Pace said.
Pace did, however, offer an explanation at Lake County News’ request about how the cause of death is determined.
“I can say that generally, a person is not identified as having COVID without them having a positive test. An attending doctor will determine presumed cause of death, not public health. Cause of death is usually decided based on a combination of determinations, including factoring in their underlying conditions, progression of the symptoms, and recent test results (like COVID results),” he said in an email.
He said decisions about autopsy are “generally made by the medical examiner if there is a pressing question about the progression not following an expected course given these factors.”
Pace added, “Usually, if the course of the illness leading to death follows a trajectory consistent with the presumed cause of death, no autopsy is needed.”
The county’s first COVID-19-related death was reported at the start of July.
On Wednesday, Public Health reported that Lake County’s COVID-19 caseload was up to 212. Of those, 22 are active, 189 are recovered and one patient is hospitalized.
Statewide, county Public Health departments are reporting close to 530,000 cases and more than 9,800 deaths.
Regarding this second death in Lake County attributed to the coronavirus, Pace said, “This is a tragic reminder that all Lake County residents must take precautions that can slow the spread of this virus.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Public Health officer reports second COVID-19-related death in Lake County
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On