A COVID-19 particle is pictured in this image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported on Friday afternoon, Oct. 8, that two Baker County residents had died in the past week after testing positive for COVID-19.

A 70-year-old Baker County woman died on Oct. 5, after testing positive on Sept. 23.

The presence of underlying medical conditions hadn’t been confirmed.

A 71-year-old man from Baker County died Oct. 4 at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington. He tested positive on Sept. 21, and had underlying conditions.

The deaths were the 26th and 27th during the pandemic in Baker County, and the first two in October.

“The toll COVID is taking on our community is painful,” said Nancy Staten, director of the Baker County Health Department. “Please take care of each other. There are a lot of community members that need that right now.”

There were six deaths reported during September, the most in any month.