On Saturday, the Monterey County Health Department announced the first coronavirus-related death of a Monterey County resident.
According to Karen Smith, spokeswoman with the health department, the person was an adult who had been hospitalized and had an underlying health condition.
According to NBC-affiliate KSBW in Monterey, the health department also announced that 11 Monterey County residents had tested positive for COVID-19 and at least two of them appear to have contracted the virus locally.
“This is a tragic development. The Monterey County Health Department is taking necessary, carefully considered steps to slow down the spread of the disease and to protect those at greatest risk,” said Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County health officer and director of public health. “We are facing a historic public health challenge and know this is a very difficult time. Our top priority continues to be protecting the health of our community.”
