July 15: Umatilla County Health Reports 89th Death Due to COVID-19

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Umatilla County Health today reported another county resident has died from COVID-19 – the 89th death in the county due to the virus.

Umatilla County’s 89th death with COVID-19 is a 68-year-old male who tested positive April 24 and died May 5 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. This individual had underlying health conditions.

Umatilla County continues to see un uptick in new COVID-19 cases as today the health department reported 33 new cases of COVID-19 – an increase of four over Wednesday.

Today’s new cases bring the county’s overall total to 8,877. There are 437 presumed cases of COVID-19 – unchanged from Wedsday.

The state of Oregon is also seeing a rise in new cases and hospitalizations. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported an increase in daily cases and hospitalizations and a decrease in COVID-19 related deaths.

Here’s a look at some numbers:

  • OHA reported 1,318 new daily cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, July 5, through Sunday, July 11. That represents an 11 percent rise over the previous week.
  • New COVID-19 related hospitalizations rose to 104, up from 66 the previous week.
  • There were 15 reported COVID-19 related deaths, down from 19 reported the previous week.
  • There were 54,702 tests for COVID-19 for the week of July 4 through July 10. The percentage of positive tests was 3.4 percent, up from 2.9 percent the previous week.
  • People 70 years of age and older have accounted for 38 percent of COVID-19 related hospitalizations and 74 percent of COVID-19 related deaths.

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.