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The ninth and 10th Port Arthur residents to die as a result of the coronavirus were announced this week by health officials, one on Monday and one on Tuesday.

“It is with great sadness” that the City of Port Arthur Health Department confirmed the news in releases Monday and Tuesday.

Officials said Tuesday’s victim is an African American male between 60 and 65 years old.

Monday’s victim was an African American male between 55 and 60 years old.

It has been determined, according to health officials, that both men had underlying health conditions.

Also on Monday, the Port Arthur Health Department confirmed the city received 26 new cases of confirmed COVID-19 for Port Arthur residents.

This brought the total to 539 Port Arthur residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since testing started in Port Arthur.

On Tuesday, the Port Arthur Health Department received confirmation of 40 additional Port Arthur residents who tested positive for coronavirus. This brings the total to 579 Port Arthur residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since testing started in the City of Port Arthur.

The week-over-week jump has been significant, according to health officials, who noted the city’s total count for residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 at 375 on July 13.

That seven-day jump of 164 cases equals a 30 percent increase.

The previous Port Arthur seven-day jump (July 6-13) was 122 cases, equaling a 48 percent increase.

Coronavirus-related deaths in Port Arthur and Nederland

(NOTE: Port Neches and Groves have not recorded any deaths due to COVID-19; date reflects the day local health officials reported the death.)

• April 6: Port Arthur white male, aged 45-50, had underlying conditions. Family identified victim as John Kirk Veillon, 47.
• April 18: Port Arthur African American female, aged 65-70, had underlying conditions.
• April 21: Port Arthur Hispanic male, aged 65-70, had underlying conditions.
• April 21: Nederland white female, aged 85-90, had underlying conditions.
• May 3: Port Arthur white male, aged 65-70, was previously reported as COVID-19 positive and had underlying conditions. Family identified victim as Chris Dwayne Stewts, 68.
• June 5: Port Arthur African American female, aged 80-85, underlying conditions not known.
• June 29: Port Arthur African American female, aged 60-65, underlying conditions not known.
• July 3: Port Arthur African American female, aged 85-90, underlying conditions unknown.
• July 9: Nederland white female, aged 65-70, had underlying conditions.
• July 14: Port Arthur African American female, aged 50-55, had underlying conditions.
• July 15: Nederland white female, aged 60-65, had underlying conditions.
• July 17: Nederland white female, aged 80-85, had underlying conditions.
• July 20: Port Arthur African American male, aged 55-60, had underlying conditions.
• July 21: Port Arthur African American male, aged 60-65, had underlying conditions.