&nbsp; An 89 year-old Riley County man passed away at Ascension Via Christi hospital on December 15 after testing positive for COVID-19 on November 30. His passing represents the 19th&nbsp;COVID-related death in the county. No further information will be released about the patient. Riley County has identified 55 new positive cases and 52 additional recoveries since the last report on Monday, December 14. Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for seven positive patients and two PUI patients at this time. Two of the positive patients are in the ICU. Via Christi Hospital administered the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine to some of their staff today. Healthcare workers who care for COVID patients will be the first priority for the vaccine. FAQ information about the COVID-19 vaccine is posted on the Riley County Coronavirus website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=f065455fda&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">https://www.rileycountyks.gov/1873/Frequently-Asked-Questions</a>

Riley County health officials provide COVID-19 update