Dr. Noemi Doohan, Mendocino County Public Health Officer, confirmed that a local resident died on Wednesday, July 1, out of the county after contracting COVID-19 from the outbreak associated with an Assembly of God church in the county. from Mendocino. It should be noted that officials are awaiting further information to decide whether the individual’s death should be attributed to COVID-19. Redheaded Blackbelt will retain the name of the deceased and the family out of respect for the wishes of the family.
According to the deceased’s grandson, his grandfather hired COVID-19 while volunteering in the church kitchen preparing meals for those in need.
The deceased’s grandson described his grandfather in a Facebook post as “the strongest and most loving human being I have ever known.”
Publication on Facebook of the grandson of the deceased used with his permission.
The Facebook post goes on to say: “6 weeks ago you were diagnosed with Covid-19. Before that, he was still a strong, healthy 79-year-old man, still active and strong. He spent his 80th birthday in the hospital fighting for his life. It is the first fight he has lost.
According to a social media post on the Facebook page Willits Community Events and Concerns, “[T]The gentleman was hospitalized locally and then transferred to an out-of-county facility. ”
Dr. Doohan clarified that the individual “he did not die in a hospital. ”
The grandson said his grandfather died at a Marin County rehabilitation center.
The social media post on Willits’ page goes on to explain that the deceased “never recovered even though he was removed from our hospitalizations and moved to a recovered state when the 10-day quarantine period ended.”
According to the grandson, the county reported that his grandfather was “recovered” even though he was still testing positive for COVID-19. When he was transferred to Marin for a full rehabilitation, he was still testing positive for the virus.
Dr. Doohan assured us by email that “there have been no other deaths of residents of our county who have had COVID that I am aware of, certainly no other COVID related deaths.” She went on to say, “This is the first potentially COVID-related death.”
As for which county COVID-19’s death would be attributed to, Dr. Doohan said: “We will know more on Monday, including which county the death will be attributed to and whether it will count as COVID related. I contacted the State for assistance in these determinations. “
The grandson said he expects his grandfather’s death to be attributed to Mendocino County as long as his death certificate reflects that he passed from COVID-19 because those powers are based on the address of the deceased.
For any Mendocino County resident who has concerns regarding COVID-19, contact the County’s COVID-19 Call Center at (707) 234-6052.
