Sixth local COVID-19 death confirmed

A Sutter County resident in their

50s died this week due to COVID-19, making them the sixth person to die from the virus in the Yuba-sutter area.

There were 35 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to 449 cases in the area. Thirteen people recovered from the virus and 21 local residents are currently hospitalized.

Bi-county Public Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu said the current number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is manageable, though the situation could change if the area continues to experience spikes in cases.

She said Adventist Health and Rideout is not at capacity yet, but there are concerns over the recent rate of transmission increases. Luu said those who are hospitalized tend to stay for several days or weeks, and it’s even longer for those who are admitted into the ICU. The hospital has 53 ventilators at its disposal in the event of a surge in cases.

“Another concern of course is all the Personal Protective Equipment being burned through with each COVID-19 patient each day,” Luu said. “We still have a good supply of PPE for our healthcare workers but if it becomes an issue to obtain statewide, we will certainly feel the effects locally as well, including the potential for healthcarerelated exposures.”

The Yuba-sutter area is expected to be placed on the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list later this week, which will require certain businesses to either close or modify operations significantly. Businesses that would be required to close both indoor and outdoor operations include bars, pubs, brewpubs, indoor dine-in restaurants, family entertainment centers including movie theaters, card rooms, zoos and museums would also be required to close.

Gyms, retail stores, and personal care services would still be allowed to be open with appropriate modifications, Luu said.

“It has been a daunting task for our contact investigators and contact tracers to make full contact with each case and each close contact,” Luu said. “Please work with us in Public Health. If we call you about being a positive COVID-19 case or a close contact of a case, please answer our calls, be truthful in your responses, and try to recall as completely as possible your source of exposure and symptoms.”

Luu said her office cannot disclose the place of employment for confirmed cases, but those who have been in close contact with a confirmed case (family members, friends or coworkers) will be contacted by Public Health.

–Jake Abbott / jabbott@ appealdemocrat.com