Man in his 60s at St. Joseph hospital is first coronavirus fatality in Whatcom County
A man in his 60s who tested positive for COVID-19, the coronavirus, has become the first person to die of the illness in Whatcom County, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
He died Thursday, March 19, according to the Health Department.
The man was a patient at St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham and was being treated in isolation, according to a statement from PeaceHealth, which runs the hospital.
Both PeaceHealth and Greg Stern, Whatcom County Health Officer, sent their condolences to the man’s family and friends.
“It is deeply saddening to lose a member of our community in this way,” Stern said.
PeaceHealth confirmed that proper respiratory precautions were used by caregivers when the man was admitted, according to the Health Department.
The Whatcom County Health Department is working to identify all those who may have come into close contact with the man.
Close contacts may include family members, co-workers, emergency responders and others, who will be closely monitored for symptoms to avoid further spread of this virus.
The Health Department said that while most cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate, about 15% of people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 will become seriously ill.
“It is vitally important that people are taking steps to protect our family members, friends and neighbors from this infection,” the Health Department said in a release.
“Everyone should stay home as much as possible and limit their exposure to others. If you are at risk for severe disease, it is especially important to take the necessary steps to limit potential exposure. Vulnerable individuals should stay home as much as possible,” public health officials said.
The man was one of seven Whatcom County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, as of Thursday, March 19.
The others are:
▪ A woman in her 60s.
▪ A woman in her 40s.
▪ A woman in her 20s.
▪ A man in his 40s.
▪ A male in his teens.
▪ A man in his 50s.
More than 242,710 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 9,800 deaths as of Thursday, March 19, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 13,600 confirmed cases with at least 200 deaths, 74 of them in Washington state.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 5:35 PM.
