MOSES LAKE — Two Moses Lake women infected with the coronavirus have died, marking the 26th and 27th confirmed COVID-19-related deaths of Grant County residents since the pandemic began, Grant County Health District reported last week.

The residents, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s, had underlying conditions that put them at higher risk of severe complications from the viral infection, according to the health district.

The deaths are a reminder of the vulnerability to the virus of the elderly and others, the health district wrote in a release.

“Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease,” the health district wrote.