Update: 2 Tri-Cities COVID deaths and 26 new cases reported

Two more Tri-Citians have died from complications of COVID-19, the Benton Franklin Health District reported on Tuesday.

The deaths were a woman in her 60s in Benton County and a man in his 90s living in Franklin County. Both had underlying health conditions making them more vulnerable, said health officials

That brings the total number of COVID-related deaths in both counties to 165 since March.

On Tuesday, the health district reported 18 new cases in Benton County and 8 in Franklin County.

The total number of people testing positive since the start of the pandemic in both counties is 8,631.

Over the last 14 days, there have been 190 new confirmed cases in Benton County and 151 in Franklin County.

Also on Monday, 34 people were hospitalized throughout the Tri-Cities area with the virus, making up 10 percent of the total number of people hospitalized.

Free testing for COVID-19 continues to be offered at the HAPO Center in Pasco from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. While an additional free testing site is set to open, the health district has yet to release the details.

This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 4:58 PM.