Health officials on Tuesday confirmed the first two two covid-19 deaths in Columbia County.
Both fatal cases involved men, according to the Florida Department of Health in Columbia County. One was 63 years old and the other was 31.
Tuesday’s edition of the Lake City Reporter featured a story about the death of 31-year-old Michael Leedom, whose family said doctors ruled his death a result of the virus. As of press time Monday, when the story was written, health officials could not yet confirm Leedom was a casualty of covid-19.
Both men were hospitalized at the time of death, according to a written statement from health officials.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of two members of our community,” wrote Thomas Moffses, who leads the Florida Department of Health in Columbia County. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the individuals who are no longer with us.”
As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Columbia County had 55 confirmed covid-19 cases. Cases have involved people under one year of age and as old as 80.
Fifty-one of the confirmed cases were in Lake City, two were in Fort White, one was related to an out-of-state resident and one involved someone with an unknown address.
Also on Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County announced three new deaths there – a 68-year-old man and two women, ages 71 and 85, bringing the total Suwannee County death toll to 14.
The Florida Department of Health maintains a covid-19 dashboard with more detailed information, including data at the zip code level of all Columbia County cases.
The dashboard is available at fdoh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/8d0de33f260d444c852a615dc7837c86.
For convenience, the Lake City Reporter used an address-shortening service to provide a shortcut: https://bit.ly/3d0hh6d.