A Chautauqua County man in his 80s who had tested positive for the coronavirus and was receiving treatment at an Erie, Pa., hospital became the first local casualty due to complications of COVID-19.

The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the death Monday in its daily update. The man’s confirmed case of the virus was the eighth in the county; the other seven individuals are recovering at home.

“This is a sad time,” County Executive PJ Wendel told The Post-Journal. “We had hoped that we could have gotten through this. For me and my team, our hearts go out to the family.”

As of Monday afternoon, 21 county residents were in mandatory quarantine; 32 people were in precautionary quarantine; and 18 people were in mandatory isolation. To date, 98 tests for COVID-19 have come back negative.

Wendel said county officials will continue to urge people to practice social distancing and stay home as much as possible. He said his staff reported seeing “packed” grocery stores over the weekend, and noted the need to limit unnecessary trips to the store.

“Even things like playing basketball, we need to stop doing those types of things,” Wendel said. “We run the risk of spreading this virus. … We have talked to some towns about taking down backboards (to play basketball) — we just need to be aware that this is a serious situation. We have eight confirmed cases, so people are doing their part to staying in.”

Meanwhile, an employee of the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene who works on the fifth floor of the Jamestown Municipal Building on East Third Street has reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist confirmed that he was notified Friday that the county employee began experiencing symptoms earlier last week and was placed in quarantine before testing positive for COVID-19. The mayor first mentioned the positive test in an email to city employees that was obtained by The Post-Journal.

Sundquist, when reached Monday, said he hasn’t been told the employee’s name or place of residence, but said when the symptoms first appeared, city hall was closed to the public and with a majority of employees working from home.

“As part of our response to COVID-19, going back more than two weeks, we stepped up cleaning shifts of the entire municipal building,” Sundquist said in his email to staff. “I believe in being fully transparent with our workforce on this issue, so when I receive and verify information, I think it is important that we are all kept informed.”

The mayor said of the city’s 450 employees, seven are currently in self-quarantine. “The majority have traveled recently and we have asked them to self-quarantine out of precaution,” he said. “Employees with symptoms have been evaluated by medical professionals and I am happy to say none have tested positive for COVID-19.

“I have said all along, this was not a matter of if the disease spread to Jamestown, but when. Now, more than ever, it is important to remind all your friends, family, and colleagues to stay home, maintain social distance, and wash your hands. As always, if you come down with symptoms, please inform your supervisor and call your doctor!”

Tips to help mitigate the spread of the virus include washing hands for 20 seconds; avoiding touching your face; avoiding close contact with others by keeping a distance of 6 feet; cleaning surfaces regularly; working from home when possible; and staying home when feeling sick.