Latest Santa Cruz County Coronavirus Updates

SANTA CRUZ, CA — While Santa Cruz County says it's seen signs that public health measures appear to be slowing the spread of the new coronavirus, health officials announced Tuesday that a second COVID-19 patient has died.

The man in his late 60s was a South County resident and grandfather who worked at a local university. The county urged residents to continue to shelter in place.

The first death of a Santa Cruz County COVID-19 patient was reported in March — a man in his early 70s with an underlying health condition.

As of Tuesday 91 cases had been confirmed in Santa Cruz County, including 16 hospitalized patients. More than 2,300 COVID-19 tests have come back negative and 37 patients have been recovered.

Two minors have fallen ill, while 72 patients are between the ages of 18 and 64 have tested positive. There are 16 senior patients, according to the county.

The county says there are still too few cases to release city-level patient information, citing concerns for patient privacy. But 32 patients are North County residents, 30 are Mid-County residents and 20 are South County residents. Nine cases are under investigation still.

Twenty-seven people acquired COVID-19 from person-to-person contact, while 26 are thought to have been victims of community spread, meaning the patient does not know how they contracted the virus. Eighteen patients fell sick after travel and the source of exposure is under investigation for 20 people.

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Local residents remain under an extended shelter-in-place order through May 3. Residents may leave the house for essential matters.

Beaches and parks remain closed until April 15, at which point the county will announce whether it believes further closures are necessary.

Resources and Information

Read Patch's resource guide for Santa Cruz County residents here.

Some grocery stores in Northern California have longer or senior-only hours. Learn more here.

Anyone with questions may call 831-454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. or text COVID19 to 211211.

Full coronavirus coverage: California Coronavirus: Live Updates On Cases, Closures, Orders