A Grinnell man over the age of 81 passed away yesterday evening of COVID-19, according to the Grinnell Regional Medical Center. The deceased had underlying health conditions that made him more susceptible to the virus.
The death is the first related to the coronavirus in Grinnell, IA and the first in Poweshiek County more broadly. It’s also the third coronavirus-inflicted death in the state.
There are currently four cases of COVID-19 in Poweshiek County as of Friday morning, a total which includes the deceased patient. All of Poweshiek County’s coronavirus patients are over the age of 60.
Elderly adults face a higher risk from the novel coronavirus – risk that is compounded further by conditions like chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, and obesity. At least one of Poweshiek County’s COVID-19 patients is a resident at the Seeland Park retirement campus in east Grinnell.
