2 More Coronavirus Deaths; Latest Santa Cruz Case Count

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Another two Santa Cruz County residents have succumbed to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to six.

Both deaths occurred Tuesday, county Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said Wednesday during a press conference. One of those people did not seek care and died at home.

Newel reiterated the importance of staying in touch with health care professionals or reporting to a clinic or emergency room, where they may find they can be seen for free or qualify for MediCal — the state's health insurance program for low-income residents.

"Don't take any risks with this disease," she said. "It can be fatal."

The county had not yet received their death certificates and could not share additional details.

Of the roughly 1,200 cases reported as of Tuesday, about two-thirds were reported in the last two weeks, Newel said. Residents who are Latinx, in the 18 to 34 years age group or live in South County are disproportionately likely to fall ill.

Though the county's dataset appears to show the number of cases starting to level off, that's likely due to faulty data caused by a statewide technical glitch in reporting. Newel estimates some 100 or cases have gone unreported in the last seven to 10 days.

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Santa Cruz County is not as impacted as the state, as it is not so reliant on electronic lab reporting, she said.

All seven skilled nursing facilities in Santa Cruz County have seen at least one case of COVID-19 and the county is working closely to help them contain those outbreaks, she said. The county is currently investigating 20 outbreaks.

More information will be coming soon on a new $1 million rental assistance program approved Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors, Newel said. The money comes from federal funding earmarked to help local governments respond to the pandemic.

She reminded the public that the board voted this week to enact a fine for people in unincorporated Santa Cruz County who ignore local or state health orders. A first offense could cost you $100, a second offense runs at $200 and a third will be $500.

Here's a breakdown of the current reported case count:

Capitola: 34

Santa Cruz: 202

Scotts Valley: 27

Watsonville: 597

Unincorporated: 208

Under investigation: 128

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know