WOODSFIELD — As the number of COVID-19 cases in Monroe County continues to increase, the Monroe County Health Department announced the first death of a resident due to the virus on Friday morning.

MCHD Director of Nursing Kara Dixon said the department is not releasing the deceased individual’s age at this time.

“The MCHD is saddened to announce the loss of one of our residents to COVID-19. We wish to extend our thoughts and prayers to the family,” the department states in a release.

Dixon said as of Friday, there were 52 positive cases in the county with three of those individuals now recovered. There is also one probable case, she said.

The state website, coronavirus.ohio.gov, reported 53 confirmed cases in the county late Friday.

The age range of the confirmed cases is between 10 and 99 years of age. These numbers are only a range of the individuals’ ages and do not necessarily mean a victim is 10 years old or 99 years old.

Many of the positive cases were identified after testing was performed at the Stellar Care Center nursing facility in Woodsfield. Formerly the Monroe County Care Center, the facility has been in operation in the county for decades.

Although Dixon said she could not confirm or deny if the death was that of a resident of the care center, the nursing home released a statement along with the announcement Friday morning.

“As you are aware, last week we had patients test positive for COVID-19. In a preemptive step, earlier this week, we tested all residents. These results started coming in last night (Thursday) and we have an increase in positive cases and anticipate potentially more,” the center states.

The facility went on to say that it has seen a sharp increase in positive cases in its residents and the cases will be reflected in the county’s numbers.

“Of course our main concern is not the numbers but the people that they represent. We are working tirelessly to contain this virus and to treat those that have been impacted,” the statement continues.

The health department said in a statement that even with the increase in positive cases at the care center, there are also many other residents throughout the county that are positive for the virus. An exact number of confirmed cases within the care center has not been reported at this time.

Dixon said additional information regarding the cases will be released in the next few days.