Klamath Tribal Members mourn two COVID-19 related deaths, 50-new cases today

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“Without being able to gather to mourn it is especially hard on our families and tribe”

Image: Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services, Facebook

Image: Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services, Facebook

Klamath Tribes 2.png

CHILOQUIN, Ore. - Two members of the Klamath Tribe have now died due to COVID-19, a 60-year-old man, and a 52-year-old woman. “It is with great regret and heartbreak that the Klamath Tribes announce the first deaths due to COVID-19,” said the Klamath Tribes through a press release.

The first loss related to COVID-19 was a male tribal member. He passed on November 28, 2020, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Ore.

A second tribal member, a female tribal employee and medical provider succumbed to the illness on December 2, 2020, at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, Oregon.

Both had underlying health conditions.

“The Klamath Tribal Council mourns with our people, colleagues, and our community at this time. It is especially heartbreaking that due to COVID-19 restrictions, family and friends cannot traditionally gather in this time of mourning to celebrate the lives of those we have lost,” said the press release.

The Klamath Tribal Council sends their heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who have passed.

The two deaths increase the Klamath County COVID-19 death toll to seven.

Today, Klamath County Public Health Officials report 50 new cases of COVID-19 in the community. This brings this weeks case count to 104 and the total count to 976.

The Centers for Disease Control has indicated that older adults and those with certain health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Those conditions include:

  • Cancer

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies

  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant

  • Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)

  • Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)

  • Sickle cell disease

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Not all of these conditions can be seen. It is recommended that everyone remain vigilant to protect their own health and that of others.

To help protect yourself officials from KCPH advise:

  • Limit physical contact with other people as much as possible.

  • Wash your hands often.

  • Avoid close contact (6 feet, which is about two arm lengths) with people who are sick.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

To protect others around you officials from KCPH also advise:

  • Cover coughs and sneezes.

  • Stay home when sick.

  • Wear a clean mask in public spaces, including outdoors when six feet of social distance cannot be maintained.