2nd Coronavirus Patient Dies In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A man in his late 60s died from the new coronavirus Tuesday in Santa Cruz County, marking the county's second death linked to COVID-19.

The man lived in South County, was a grandfather, and worked at a local university, officials said. His COVID-19 case was community-acquired.

The man, who had underlying health conditions, was admitted to a local hospital on Thursday with symptoms including a fever, cough and fatigue, county health officials said in a news release. He tested positive for COVID-19 and died at a local hospital early Tuesday, officials said.

"This second death shows how serious the virus is and how necessary it is for our community to continue to shelter in place," Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said in a statement.

Santa Cruz County reported its first coronavirus death March 29, a man in his early 70s with an underlying health condition.

The county had confirmed 91 COVID-19 cases entering Tuesday, including 16 that required hospitalization, according to county health data.

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