The Fresno County Department of Public Health confirmed the first COVID-19 death in Fresno County over the weekend.
Health officials say the victim was a woman who was over the age of 65 and had no history of travel or known contact with an individual infected with COVID-19. It remains unknown how she contracted the disease.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family. This tragic death reminds us that we all must continue taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and protect the most vulnerable members of our community from this disease.” Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County Interim Health Officer. “Those considered at-risk for developing complications from COVID-19 include older adults and individuals with chronic disease such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease. In some cases, even younger and middle age adults may become ill enough to require hospitalization.”
The FCDPH confirmed additional COVID-19 cases as well, bringing the total to 108 confirmed cases.
As of April 5, 28 cases were travel related, 18 were spread person-to-person, 24 were community-spread and the remaining 38 are still under investigation.
The FCDPH’s Communicable Disease Investigation Program is currently monitoring 399 individuals for the disease.
The FCDPH also released new guidelines regarding face masks. They include the following tips on how to wearing face masks can reduce the spread of the coronavirus:
- Masks may not keep the wearer safe, but they can reduce the transmission of COVID-19
by the wearer (with or without symptoms) to others. - Staying home, social distancing (staying 6 feet away from people) and handwashing are
most effective. Wearing a mask DOES NOT replace the importance of these strategies. - If you must make a trip outside of your home, a mask may reduce transmission.
- Surgical masks are best; however, we know there are not enough of these in supply and
should be reserved for healthcare workers and others involved in public safety first. - The Fresno County Department of Public Health encourages Fresno County residents to
wear cloth masks that are reusable after washing. Surgical masks may be used while
waiting for cloth masks to become available. If sewing is a skill of yours, this is an
opportunity to help the community by making masks for others. - If you are wearing a cloth mask, you should ensure that you are washing them with hot
water and soap. For this reason, having a few on hand would make sense. - Wash your hands before you put the mask on and after you take it off.
- If you are showing any signs of illness, you MUST stay at home.
- If you are making your own mask, simple patterns from the internet can be used, but the patterns that have 4 layers are most effective. Remember that pleats add layers, so
these are important to leave in as part of the design if the pattern requires it.
For additional information and updates, contact the Fresno County Department of Public Health or visit www.fcdph.org/covid19.