One new COVID-19 death, 46 new cases in Tuolumne County,

Another unvaccinated individual — a man in his 60s — died of COVID-19 in Tuolumne County, and his death was counted Thursday along with 46 new cases.

No further information about the man and his death, including where and when he died, was disclosed by the Tuolumne County Public Health Department.

There have been at least 18 coronavirus deaths counted in Tuolumne County since Aug. 16. Tuolumne County’s COVID-19 toll increased to 93 deaths since the pandemic began last year. Calaveras County has counted 63 coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began.

Also Thursday, the Calaveras County Public Health Division added 25 new cases of COVID-19.

Seven of Tuolumne County’s 46 new cases were inmates at the Sierra Conservation Center state prison outside Jamestown. Of 39 community cases in the county, three individuals were vaccinated against COVID-19.

As of Thursday evening, there were 248 active coronavirus cases in Tuolumne County, including 14 Covid-positive individuals hospitalized. The county’s case rate was 51.3 per 100,000 residents over the previous two weeks.

Community cases in Tuolumne County were identified as one girl and four boys under age 12; five girls and three boys between 12 and 17; four women and one man between 18 and 29; three women and two men in their 30s; four women in their 40s; three women and three men in their 50s; one man in his 60s; one woman and two men in their 70s; one woman in her 80s; and one woman in her 90s.

The Tuolumne County Public Health Department shared more information Thursday for people who are not feeling 100% well this week.

“As a reminder, the symptoms of COVID-19 can sometimes be dismissed as allergies, a cold, wildfire smoke irritation, indigestion, etc.,” the department said in an update. “If you are experiencing any new or worsening symptoms, even if it’s only one of the symptoms, please get tested right away and avoid close contact with others while waiting for your results. Symptoms can include fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. If you have more serious symptoms such as pain or pressure in your chest, trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, sudden confusion, having a hard time staying awake, dizziness, contact your healthcare provider or urgent care.”

The testing site at Mother Lode Fairgrounds was closed unexpectedly Thursday due to lack of staff, but was reopened on Friday.

The site was also closed last Friday and Saturday, and opened late on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday due to fire response activity at the fairgrounds. The site is run by Logistics Health Incorporated, a subsidiary of Optumserve, which is a federal health services contractor being paid by the state of California.

“We apologize for the inconvenience of today’s unexpected closure by LHI due to staffing issues,” Tuolumne County Public Health said Thursday. “We are in contact with LHI and expect that the site will be open again tomorrow morning. They are planned to be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. Due to increased demand, appointments should be made rather than walking in.”