Riverside County public health officials are highlighting the death of a 25-year-old pharmacy technician as a warning that COVID-19 can be deadly to all, not just older people.

The San Diego County resident was found in a La Quinta residence on March 25, according to a Riverside County news release. He had no underlying health issues.

“This is a deeply saddening reminder that COVID-19 kills the young and healthy too,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “Stay safe. Keep travel and errands to essentials, and observe social distance no matter how young or well you are. Our condolences and thoughts are with everyone this pandemic has touched.”

The man was exposed to the coronavirus outside of Riverside County and was in self-quarantine in La Quinta at the time of his death, according to the county.

“My deepest condolences go out to the family of the young adult who passed,” said Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “The virus does not discriminate and age doesn’t matter. This tragedy demonstrates the need to stay in place. It’s safer at home.”

This comes as Riverside County health officials reported 44 new cases of coronavirus on Friday morning, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 151.

Of the county's 151 cases, four were associated with travel; 24 were locally acquired; and the cause of 123 cases is still under investigation.

Of the eight reported deaths in the county, all were residents over 70, most of whom have had underlying health conditions, according to county public health officials.

The pharmacy technician is not included in that total because the individual was from San Diego County.

Officials confirmed one new case of coronavirus in San Bernardino County on Thursday evening, bringing the county's total to 55 cases. Officials also confirmed one additional virus-related death. The patient, an 89-year-old woman with underlying medical conditions, became the third county resident to die as a result of the pandemic, according to county spokesperson Lana Culp.

As of Friday afternoon, there were 3,006 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 65 deaths (including one non-California resident) in California.

Risa Johnson covers Native American affairs in the Coachella Valley and beyond. She can be reached at risa.johnson@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4737. Follow her on Twitter @risamjohnson.