REDDING, Calif. – Coronavirus is responsible for 78 deaths in Shasta County. In California, more than 26,000 people have died from Covid-19.

Funeral homes like McDonald's Chapel say it's continuing to work with families who've lost loved ones to covid-19 and is helping them through the process.

Chairs sat six feet apart in an empty viewing room at McDonald’s Chapel.

“Grief is very difficult no matter what the cause of death is,” said Bob Todd, the General Manager of McDonald’s Chapel.

But even with a new year, coronavirus deaths keep climbing.

“It's really scary, it's very scary,” said Rhonda Alvey of Redding. “My husband is 75 and I worry every day.”

McDonald's Chapel says it's seen a spike Covid-19 related deaths come through its doors.

“We have seen a little bit of a spike in Covid deaths in the last month,” said Todd. “So we work with those families and help them through the process.”

When it comes to caring for the deceased, Todd tells Action News Now staff wear extra personal protective equipment. Staff also disinfect each car after each use and space where the deceased is kept.

“Our staff if wearing extra PPE when they're encountering a Covid death,” said Todd. “So they do take some extra precautions.”

But with Shasta County still in the purple tier, ceremonies like funerals can still only be held outdoors.