We grieve the loss of another of our residents and our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Grant County Health District delays the announcement of COVID-19 associated deaths to give families time to notify their loved ones. We also verify COVID-19 is listed as a cause of death on the death certificate to ensure we are not reporting deaths that are not attributed to COVID-19. All reported deaths of Grant County residents are attributed to COVID-19 and were verified with the death certificate, testing, and other case information.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends it is critical to wear a face covering in pubic and stay home if you feel sick or have been asked to quarantine or isolate. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents.

Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:
• Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
• Stay home if you feel sick or are under quarantine or isolation orders.
• Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in pubic or at work.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Limit social gatherings, like BBQs, parties, and other get-togethers to no more than 5 people outside your household.

This graphic shows just how much COVID-19 can spread when given the chance. The index case is the case with the earliest symptom onset date as reported to GCHD and was not the first case of this cluster reported to GCHD. This index case, with the help of some gatherings, lead to 38 additional known cases. We know not everyone who was a close contact of these cases got tested, even if they were symptomatic, so there are likely additional, unconfirmed cases related to these events. Not only were there more than 30 cases linked to the original gathering, but there were 3 people that were hospitalized due to COVID-19, one of whom never attended the original event. There are at least 4 confirmed cases in another county related to this cluster.

Please use all known precautions when getting together with others: wear a face covering, use physical distancing of 6 feet, stay home if you feel sick. You may prevent your friends, family, and acquaintances from getting sick or ending up in the hospital. You may even save people you don't know from this illness and the severe consequences that can come from it.