Health district reports nine deaths due to COVID-19 at care centers

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Health District on Friday reported nine residents at McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Moses Lake have died and their deaths are linked to COVID-19.

According to a health district news release late Friday, the cause of death in five of the cases has been confirmed, while four are pending final confirmation. The confirmed deaths include one woman in her 60s, another her 80s, another in her 90s, and one man in 80s, the health district reported.

No residents of McKay are currently hospitalized, the health district statement said.

Also on Friday a large cluster of COVID-19 cases at two long-term care facilities in Moses Lake.

According to the GCHD, Lake Ridge Center — a skilled nursing facility specializing in Alzheimer’s and dementia care — reported that 49 residents and 12 staff members tested positive, while Columbia Crest, a skilled nursing facility, reported that 25 residents and 22 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.

Finally, the health district said that it has discovered links between COVID-19 cases at a long-term care facility in Moses Lake, a long-term care facility in Ephrata, and a recent large wedding event near Ritzville. However, the health district did not name the facilities and gave no other details.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com.