Richland woman dies from COVID-19

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- The Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) has confirmed that a Richland woman who passed away over the weekend has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a press release from BFHD, the woman was in her 80s and had underlying health conditions.

“Our first thoughts are with the family and loved ones of this woman,” said Dr. Amy Person, Health Officer for Benton and Franklin Counties. She was a resident at Bonaventure of Tri-Cities (Bonaventure), which is a senior living community in Richland.

This is the first death attributed to COVID-19 in Benton and Franklin Counties.

Officials with BFHD say Bonaventure has been very responsive and is working closely with them. BFHD has requested assistance from the Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) team from the Washington State Department of Health to aid in the investigation and response at that facility.

Health officials say people over the age of 60 and those with underlying health conditions are at highest risk for COVID-19 as well as influenza, which is still actively circulating in our area. That means that residents and staff at all types of senior living facilities, including assisted living centers, skilled nursing facilities, and adult care homes, are at highest risk. The health and safety of the people in Benton and Franklin Counties remains the Health District’s top priority.

The community is encouraged to help prevent the spread of illness by following social distancing and hygiene guidelines and to support the response to this outbreak by staying informed and sharing reliable information.

Officials with BFHD say the agency is at the very beginning stages of its investigation and will provide additional details and information as they become available over the next days and weeks.