ANGOLA, IN - Steuben County has its first reported death of a resident who died from coronavirus.

The Steuben County Health Department was notified of a COVID-19 positive adult that passed away on Tuesday (April 7th, 2020). The person, who was over age 60, had been hospitalized as a patient in Allen County hospital. No further information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.

The health department also was notified of two (2) more COVID-19 positive test results for Steuben County residents from April 7th to April 8th. County officials had been in communications with the patients and the Indiana State Department of Health epidemiologist to identify and monitor any close contacts. Like in any case, no additional information about the patients will be released due to patient privacy laws.

In a news release Wednesday morning, the health department also defined what they consider a “close contact” of those who test positive. “Close Contact” is a presumptive positive COVID-19 individual. A presumptive positive individual may be asymptomatic, but could be a carrier of the coronavirus and does not require testing. All presumptive positive COVID-19 individuals are required to quarantine for 14 days and remain in contact with the Steuben County Health Department.

These presumptive positive individuals are identified through a case investigation, but not included in the official count for Steuben County.

According to test official results, Steuben County currently has 10 living county residents who have tested positive and are receiving treatment, and 1 individual who tested positive who has passed away.