The first deaths related to complications of COVID-19 in Dallas County have occurred, and the Dallas County Health Department joins with the community in mourning those lost.

DCHD Public Information Officer and Health Navigator Ann Cochran says the news hit the department hard, as she emphasizes any loss of life to the virus is tragic but especially when for a member of the local community. “We’re so sorry. We were hopeful that we wouldn’t have any (deaths). Everyday when we reported numbers during meetings, we said ‘And no deaths yet.’ And so we are really sympathetic for the family and our hearts go out to them, and the people that they were known by.”

Cochran points out that the deaths so far in the County have all been people over age 61, which puts into focus that the older population is the most at risk for infection. She says they’re continuing to monitor and work with senior care facilities on prevention and treatment. “We are continuing to work with employers and to provide them with guidance, and helping them with things like distancing and PPE (personal protective equipment). And just making sure that they understand that there are many things that they can do to help mitigate the spread among the residents and among the staff members.”

To hear more from Cochran about COVID-19, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.