Colusa County Public Health announced Tuesday that a Colusa County resident has died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, although the virus was secondary to health problems.
Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Kelly said the 79-year-old female with respiratory disease is the county’s 19th COVID-19 related death. Colusa County’s first death occurred July 20, 2020, and was a 89-year-old Valley West resident.
Health officials report that the Delta variant of the coronavirus is easier to catch, and easier to transmit than earlier strains, but that vaccines have proven to be highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
The county had an increase of 49 positive COVID-19 cases in the past week, Kelly said. As of Monday, there were six people with the virus hospitalized, a drop from 11 since Sept. 7, and 52 people were in isolation, a drop from 79 for the same time period.
New Public Health Officer Dr. Julian Delgado is expected to make his first appearance before the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 28.
All individuals aged 12 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Health officials said the vaccine is safe and effective, and cannot give a person COVID-19, even if flu-like symptoms are a side effect for a day or two after receiving the vaccine.
“It just means the vaccine is working,” officials said.
The vaccine is free, and insurance and immigration status does not matter.
To schedule an appointment, visit countyofcolusa.org/771/COVID 19 or call Colusa County Public Health at (530) 458-0399. ■