WARSAW – Kosciusko County has recorded its first death from COVID-19.

Kosciusko County Health Officer William Remington is seen in a recent file photo.

County Health Officer William Remington announced the development at a news conference at Warsaw City Hall Wednesday morning, April 8.

He described the victim as a man in his 70s and said he died in a local hospital.

“That’s very sobering news. We knew it would come, but nonetheless, it is confirmed this morning,” Remington said.

Other details were not available about the circumstances.

Remington said the health department is researching the case and he was unable to say immediately how many, if any, will be quarantined, self-isolated or tested for COVID-19.

The county also announced the number of those testing positive in Kosciusko County had risen to 16.

The number of tests indicating positive cases under-represent the issue.

“This is no time to let the foot off the gas” in terms of social distancing, Remington said.

Mayor Joe Thallemer joined Remington and other county officials at Wednesday’s news conference.

“It’s no longer on our doorstep. It’s in our backyard, it’s in our houses, and we have to follow the wisdom of public health officials – first and foremost – and rely on government officials to apply those to slow things down and hopefully get through this,” Thallemer said.

Editor’s note: Look for a full recap of the news conference in another story later today on InkFreeNews.