More information on the latest Covid-19 death, how Covid-19 deaths are reported in Humboldt County

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HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM) — The Humboldt County Public Health Department reported the 9th Covid-19 related death on Monday, a 38-year-old man. Now, we’re learning more about the specific case and how Covid-19 deaths are reported in the county.

“He did have underlying conditions, however he was a fairly healthy individual. The case is still under investigation. The cause and manner of death has not been decided yet, but at the autopsy he was tested for Covid and he did come back positive,” according to Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal.

The most recent Covid-19 related death has prompted questions and concern among local officials and the community. Especially considering he was asymptomatic, but privacy laws make disclosing more information on the cause of death difficult.

“Because we can’t really reveal peoples Personal medical information we can’t go into discussions about why it may or may not be relevant in that particular individual so we simply report that they were positive and that’s it,” Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich says.

The process of reporting Covid-19 deaths can be murky. Frankovich believes death certificate data needs to be reviewed more closely to learn how to best report those numbers.

“All were able to really do, for instance on the local level, is if somebody is positive at the time of their death we report that they were positive at the time of their death. The death certificate may or may not list that as the as either the immediate or a contributing cause. It’s hard to know,” Frankovich adds>

While this is the first Covid-19 death among younger people in the county, Frankovich reminds residents of the overall risk that accompanies covid-19 no matter your age. 

“I think it’s really important for people of all ages to understand that there is risk of this infection both from death, which is not the common outcome, but also we’re seeing long more and more long-term impacts of Covid infection even people who are not severely ill,” Frankovich says.

According to the sheriff’s office, the case remains under investigation.