The Allegan County Health Department today announced the first death of COVID-19 within its borders.

“It is with great sadness today that we report the first death related to COVID-19,” the department’s web site indicated.

Allegan County had tested 61 residents as positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as of 5 p.m. Friday, April 24.

Challenges appear to be increasing, as the JBS meat packing plant near Plainwell reported 60 cases and one death of an employee who lives outside the county. Meat packing plants such as JBS, Tyson and Smithfield have been in the news recently about the virus, which presents problems because working there sometimes necessitates people working closer than the six-foot standards recommended.

A health department spokesperson said, “We hear and understand people want to know more about where positive cases live. For confidentiality purposes, the Allegan County Health Department will not be publishing case counts for specific zip codes. Residents should continue to behave as though the virus may be present when they are in public places in the community and take all recommended prevention measures.”

For Allegan County COVID-19 Statistics, visit www.facebook.com/AlleganCountyHD