Eight more Grant County residents died from COVID-19, the Grant County Health District reported Wednesday, bringing the total deaths to 44.

All of them were associated with long term care facilities, with seven from the outbreaks on Nov. 20.

Those who died were: a 90-year-old woman in McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center in Soap Lake; a woman in her 60s, a man in his 80s and a man in his 90s in Lake Ridge Center in Moses Lake; and a man in his 70s, man in his 80s and man in his 90s in Columbia Crest Center in Moses Lake. Another woman in her 80s was in a facility in Ephrata.

All who died had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to COVID-19.

Additionally, four people’s deaths at McKay, three at Lake Ridge and two at Columbia were under review, the district said in a release.

“We are saddened by the loss of these residents and grieve alongside their family and friends,” the GCHD said. “Our hearts are with them and on behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.”

The district delayed announcing COVID-19 related deaths to give families time to let others know, the release stated. Coronavirus was listed as a cause of death on death certificates, it stated, “to ensure we are not reporting deaths that are not attributed to COVID-19.”

The district also stated residents should take precautions to prevent against COVID-19, such as stay home, especially when sick, wear a face mask, maintain physical distance, and wash hands.

For more information, visit www.granthealth.org.