A woman in her 60s died Monday morning, March 9, from COVID-19 at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, the first fatality due to the new coronavirus to occur in Santa Clara County.
She had been hospitalized for several weeks, according to a statement from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
The woman, whose identity hasn't been released, was the first person the county confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus who didn't have a known history of international travel or contact with a person who had traveled or was infected. That suggests she contracted the disease in the community, the department said.
The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office declined to provide information about the person who died, saying it did not have jurisdiction over the case, and referred media inquiries to the public health department. The public health department said it was not releasing information such as the woman's name, age or city of residence out of concern for her family's privacy.
The department offered condolences to the woman's family and friends in a statement issued just after noon on March 9.
"This is a tragic development. The Public 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. Sara Cody, the county's top health officer. "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."
The county continues to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health and other partners as the situation continues to change.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Visit the county public health department's website for the latest updates and guidance on how to slow the spread of the virus.
Comments
Old Mountain View
on Mar 9, 2020 at 3:30 pm
on Mar 9, 2020 at 3:30 pm
My heart goes out to the family and friends who have lost someone.
I am concerned about the level of accuracy in reporting from the healthcare officials. They are saying that this person was hospitalized for "several weeks". I believe this is the case brought to the hospital on Feb. 28? Does ten days really count as "several weeks"? Are they trying to relieve anxiety about the reports that over 200 healthcare personnel were potentially exposed when this patient was brought to the hospital and make us think that we're past the 14-day incubation period? Yes, technically, she was hospitalized at the end of one week, and then there was one full week, and now we're a couple of days into a new week. And I understand that they might somehow think that vagueness is protecting patient information. But many of us are very sensitive to the idea that we're not being told the truth. Please be as accurate as you can in your repoerting. These must be very difficult times for all those working in public health and healthcare, so perhaps this was an unintentional distortion?
North Whisman
on Mar 11, 2020 at 5:48 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 5:48 pm
Agreed with the above comment. Furthermore, STOP BUYING OR STOCKPILING N95 MASKS. THEY WILL NOT HELP YOU.
I personally know two hospitals who are SEVERELY understocked because some idiots decided to buy up all the masks.
DONATE YOUR DISPOSABLE N95 MASKS TO YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL.
Cuernavaca
on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:33 am
on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:33 am
most dangerous virus
Cuernavaca
on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:35 am
on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:35 am
now coronavirus in India
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