Feb. 16: Umatilla County Health Reports 2 More COVID Deaths

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Umatilla County Health today reported the 78th and 79th deaths in the county due to COVID-19.

Umatilla County’s 78th death with COVID-19 is a 74-year-old male who tested positive Dec. 29 and died Feb. 3 at Good Shepherd Health Care System in Hermiston. This individual had underlying medical conditions.

Umatilla County’s 79th death with COVID-19 is a 98-year-old male who tested positive Jan. 27 and died Feb 3 at his residence. This individual had underlying medical conditions.

The health department today also reported 27 new COVID-19 cases. Today’s numbers – which includes new cases reported Friday through Monday – bring the county’s overall total to 7,516. There are currently 353 presumed cases of COVID-19.

More details are available on the county’s COVID-19 dashboard.

Umatilla County officials reiterated their advice to residents to take precautions against the spread of coronavirus:

To protect your health and the health of others, be sure to wear a mask, wash your hands and practice social distancing. It is imperative that any person who is exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness stay home. UCo Health continues to discover instances where individuals are continuing to work while sick. Now, more than ever, it is important for businesses to ensure that employees are not coming to work sick. Employees may feel internal and external pressure to work through mild illness. Businesses are encouraged to develop flexible leave policies to support employees who become ill and establish procedures for sending employees who are not feeling well home. Anyone who is exhibiting any symptoms of respiratory illness must stay home from work for 72-hours after all symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, etc.) have resolved.