Media Contact: Kelli Hawkins | khawkins@srhd.org | (509) 324-1539, c (509) 994-8968

Spokane, Wash. - Today Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) reported the death of a child, aged 10-19, due to COVID-19.

“While we feel every death we report is tragic, we do want to recognize that the loss of a child’s life is something that hits a community particularly hard,” Dr. Francisco Velazquez, SRHD interim health officer said. “The level of risk still remains relatively low in children and teens, but we acknowledge that these lives aren’t just numbers on a report, and statistics will never ease the pain of loss. We send our heartfelt condolences out to the child’s family and all other members of our community who have lost a loved one during this terrible pandemic. It is our hope that we, as a community, take this time to remember those who have lost their lives, reach out to those who are grieving their loss, and come together to keep our community safe.”

While children and teens have fewer and milder symptoms from COVID-19 than adults, they can still be infected and have varying levels of complications. For more information regarding this issue, visit the CDC’s page about COVID-19 in children and teens. The CDC also has information to help talk to your children about COVID-19.

Additionally, Spokane Regional Health District has confirmed new positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Spokane County. The total number of cases is now 15,074 with 242 COVID-19-related deaths. Currently, 105 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, 104 of which are Spokane County residents. Full details and additional demographics for Spokane County’s COVID-19 case results can be found at srhd.org, and are updated Mon.-Fri.

Health officials do not attribute the current spike in cases to one industry or event. Local outbreaks are connected to gatherings with family members, friends or extended family clusters, where gathering is taking place without masks. Some can be connected to areas more at risk for high transmission such as restaurants, gyms, and congregate settings.

SRHD emphasizes the importance of taking the recommended measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 including physical distancing and wearing masks while indoors in both private and public places where you are in the company of others outside of your household.

Individuals who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, regardless of age or health status, should be assessed for COVID-19 testing.

Generally, people with the following new symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are eligible for testing.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Individuals who have been informed that they were in close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, or who work in a high-risk environment (such as a long-term care facility), are also encouraged to be assessed for testing.

If you think you are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 or have symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, call ahead before you go to your healthcare provider, urgent care, or the emergency department. You can also call your health insurance’s nurse hotline or triage; the number can be found on their website or on the back of your insurance card.

Information and locations for community screening and testing for COVID-19 can be found here.

The Washington State Department of Health has provided the following guidance to help people who have symptoms of COVID-19, are concerned that they were in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, or who have tested positive themselves:

1. What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
2. What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
3. What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

SRHD continues to encourage people to take the following steps to stay healthy:

• Wear a mask or face covering when indoors at public places where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing of at least six feet. This helps protect others from you unknowingly infecting them with COVID-19.
• Stay home when you are sick. Staying home when ill prevents the spread of infections to others.
• Use good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene in all community settings, including homes, childcare facilities, schools, workplaces and other places where people gather. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and put the used tissue in a waste basket. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60-95% alcohol) if you can’t wash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
• Support each other, regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality, and including individuals who have become ill. Show compassion and support for individuals and communities most closely impacted and anyone who might be sick.

Follow the guidance required by the governor’s Safe Start plan to reopen Washington.