Santa Cruz County Public Health this week announced three additional deaths related to Covid-19.
The three victims—a woman in her mid-60s who died on Sept. 3, another woman in her early 70s who died on Sept. 24 and a man in his early 90s who died on Oct. 2—had “significant” underlying medical conditions, and were vaccinated against Covid-19, County Health spokesperson Corinne Hyland said.
The deaths are the 214th, 215th and 216th in Santa Cruz County attributable to Covid-19.
“If individuals have underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised, Santa Cruz Public Health recommends getting an additional dose Covid-19 as soon as possible,” Hyland said in a press release. “Vaccination greatly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death, and reduces the risk of passing the virus on to others.”
The percentage of people that have received the inoculation has risen over the past few weeks. According to the latest data available through the County, roughly 71% of county residents have received at least one dose, and 65% are fully vaccinated against the virus. In the 95076 zip code, which includes Watsonville and several rural communities throughout South County, 85% of the population is partially vaccinated, and 76% is fully vaccinated.
When data is funneled even further to county residents 12 and older, the county’s vaccination percentage climbs to 87% partially vaccinated and 77.9% fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And nearly all county residents 65 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
It’s still unknown when the vaccines will be approved for use in people under 12. Pfizer on Thursday asked the U.S. government to allow use of a reduced dose of its Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use on children between the ages of 5-12.
The Food and Drug Administration has not said when it will ultimately decide on the matter, according to the Associated Press.
There are several ways to get the vaccine, including the vaccine center in downtown Watsonville. Located in the Old City Hall at 250 Main St., that center is open Thursday-Saturday from 9am–1pm and Friday-Sunday 2pm- 6pm. Walk-ins are welcome.
At least 439 county residents had Covid-19 as of Wednesday, according to County data.
Visit santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine for information on obtaining a free vaccine.
