LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Public Health officer on Tuesday evening reported the county’s fifth death related to COVID-19, which is part of a cluster of cases that also resulted in a death late last week.
Dr. Gary Pace said his agency received confirmation of the fifth death of an individual with “a COVID-19-related illness” on Tuesday.
“This was the second individual to pass away as a result of a cluster of cases in a local residential facility,” said Pace. “Again, the individual was greater than 65 years old and had chronic medical issues. They had tested positive for COVID-19 last week, and passed away early this morning.”
The county’s fourth COVID-19 death, which occurred on Friday, was in the same residential facility, the county confirmed. However, officials have not disclosed the name of the facility where the outbreak has occurred.
Pace said they are not giving out any additional information to protect the privacy of the person and their family.
He said it has been a trying time for those connected to the residential care facility.
“The public can be reassured staff at the residential care facility are appropriately responding by testing, isolating and quarantining residents and employees, alike, using established protocols,” Pace said.
Pace said the Lake County Public Health Division and the California Department of Public Health continue to provide consultation and every available measure is being taken to limit the probability of spread.
As of Tuesday, Lake County Public Health has reported 346 COVID-19 cases, of which 35 remain active and monitored by health officials and 306 are recovered. Two currently are hospitalized.
“This second tragic death reported in a period of four days again reinforces the need for all Lake County residents to take precautions,” Pace said. “COVID-19 cases do not spontaneously arise in residential care facilities. They are transmitted by people that provide care and services; people that may not have even been aware they had COVID-19. Cases in residential facilities have shaken communities around the United States. We must be vigilant and slow the spread.”
Pace told the Board of Supervisors during its Tuesday meeting that this is a critical time for the Lake County community.
“If we take precautions, we can slow transmission of the virus, protect the vulnerable and allow local businesses to expand services,” Pace said.
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