(ALBION) – The Noble County Health Department announced Friday cases of COVID-19 have been detected along with the first death in the county.

Dr. Terry Gaff, Noble County Health Officer says the cases were reported at the Sacred Heart Home long term care facility. With people older than 60 with underlying health conditions the most at risk during this pandemic, Gaff says they are asking everyone to join in their efforts to protect these vulnerable people by not visiting long term care facilities.

Instead, please use other options to contact people in these facilities, such as calling, e-mailing, and video-calling.

No further information about these patients will be released due to privacy laws.

Gaff says they are working closely with state and federal officials to implement infection control protocols to prevent further spread within the facility.