Cal Fire closed two stations in northern Mendocino County Saturday after six firefighters in Leggett tested positive for COVID-19.
However, both the Leggett and Laytonville stations will remain closed for 12 days for a deep cleanup, as staff at rural outposts work very closely, said Carmel Angelo, administrator of Mendocino County.
Angelo said three of the COVID positive firefighters experienced symptoms, and all six are isolated. Six others who were evaluated were negative but are in quarantine. Four of the firefighters live outside the county.
“We are very grateful for the strong and coordinated effort between Mendocino County and CAL FIRE to respond to the recent outbreak at the Leggett Fire Station,” said County Health Officer Noemi Doohan in a press release. “Chief (Brandon) Gunn’s leadership in this rapidly evolving situation has been invaluable, and there is a strong indication that the outbreak has been contained due to the rapid response and cooperation between the two agencies.”
Also Saturday, Mendocino County officials said they may have to record their first coronavirus-related death in the coming days: An 80-year-old man fell ill as part of a Mother’s Day outbreak in Assembly Church. of God of Redwood Valley.
But the county is only working from second-hand and third-hand information and had not yet received a formal notice Saturday about the individual, who died at an out-of-county medical center weeks after his transfer from Adventist Health’s Ukiah Hospital, County Manager Said Carmel Angelo.
It’s also unclear what caused his death, Angelo said.
“The reports that this gentleman died, I think, actually came through the family and the media,” he said. “As of today, we have no formal notice that he died or that COVID is listed on his death certificate.”
If his death resulted from complications from COVID-19, he would be the first of at least 85 Mendocino County cases to succumb to the virus.
Neighboring Lake County, which has had 87 confirmed cases, reported its first death on Friday.
At least nine people, including the church pastor, became ill or tested positive for the virus through mutual exposure, apparently beginning with a socially estranged and virtual Mother’s Day service where church singing was performed, authorities said.
A family member described a man who was hospitalized and who never fully recovered in a recent Facebook post as strong and healthy when the virus struck, only to die six weeks later.
Some residents have been impatient with the fact that the county has not released his death.
But Mendocino County Supervisor Ted Williams said officials need some confirmation first.
“We are trying to be careful not to speculate, just because we don’t know,” he said.
You can contact writer Mary Callahan at 707-521-5249 or [email protected]. On Twitter @MaryCallahanB.
