Health officials and the coroner’s office announced that two Lake County residents have died this week from complications of coronavirus.
Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper said that the coroner’s office was notified around 8 p.m. Tuesday of a male in his 50s who died at a local hospital.
The man was tested for COVID-19 prior to his death and results received Thursday evening confirmed that he had tested positive for the virus.
Cooper said that his office was notified on Friday around 1:30 a.m. of the death of a woman in her 90s at a different local hospital. She also tested positive for coronavirus.
“Our deepest condolences go out to their families during this difficult time. This is truly a tragedy. Please know that the Lake County Coroner’s Office is working closely with our county emergency management team, area hospitals, and funeral homes during this terrible pandemic,” Cooper said.
The two patients are not being identified to protect the privacy of their families, the Lake County Health Department said, adding that both cases had underlying health conditions.
“Our hearts are heavy in Lake County today, as we lost two of our residents to this devastating disease. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members during this most difficult time,” said Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister.
“We want to remind everyone in our community of the importance of practicing social distancing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to help protect our most vulnerable and high-risk residents,” Pfister said.
Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart offered her condolences to the families.
“COVID-19 has affected every single one of us. In such a short amount of time, our lives have been turned upside down, but we must stay strong and united as we face this challenge together,” Hart said.
“Lake County will continue to direct its efforts and resources to fight this virus in every way possible,” Hart added.