FROM Kittitas County Public Health Department:
Kittitas County, WA – 04/08/2020 – Kittitas County has lost a well-respected and long-time resident of our county to complications related to the virus that causes COVID-19. Although this individual had been recently residing and receiving care outside of Kittitas County, this individual is loved by many who continue to reside here.
“We are talking about people,” states Health Officer Dr. Mark Larson, “when we are talking about COVID-19 statistics.  We know this person had friends and loved ones, a strong religious community, and is missed by many.”

The individual was tested on April 2nd in a facility outside of Kittitas County. Positive test results were returned to that facility the following day, April 3rd. On April 5, the individual died at the University of Washington Medical Center from complications related to COVID-19. The Kittitas County Public Health Department was notified of the COVID-19 death on late Tuesday night, April 7th, and our staff wants to offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of this individual.

“We are committed to providing information to our community, and presenting that information with compassion,” asserts Dr. Larson.  “Because of the person’s recent change of address, the State Department of Health may reassign the associated data to another county in the future, but that does not change the loss felt by our community.”

Out of respect for this person, their loved ones, and their community members, the Kittitas County Incident Management Team will not provide additional information at this time.