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First COVID-19 death reported in Wright County

Wright County Public Health confirmed the first COVID-19 death in the county Thursday evening.

The first victim was in the 61-80 age range.

“We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to this individual’s family,” said Wright County Supervisor Karl Helgevold.

Wright County, home to the Prestage Foods of Iowa pork packing plant in Eagle Grove, watched its case total surge over the last several weeks to 377 Thursday, twice as much as any of its neighbors.

The person who died was not affiliated with Prestage, Jere Null, the company’s chief operating officer, confirmed.

Wright County ranks fifth in the state for infection rate, at about 1 in 33 people, but is 59th in state’s 99 counties by population size. That per capita infection rate is higher than many major cities in the United States, including all of Iowa’s most populous ones.

Wright County Board of Health President Mickey Cooper said public health would continue to work with key partners in the county to limit the spread and impact of the virus.

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