UCSC shuttle driver is second person to die of COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION)
UPDATE 4/14/2020 1:45 p.m. UC Santa Cruz said one of its shuttle drivers was the second person to die of COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County.
The university told community members one of its drivers tested positive for the virus after being informed of the results Saturday.
UCSC said the driver drove the loop route on April 1 and 2, but had not been on campus since that date. It said transit records show that about 19 people rode on the driver's bus route those two days, but the university does not know the identities of the passengers.
Because of protocols that went into effect on March 17, the university said it believes there is a low risk of exposure to the public. The changes include only allowing passengers to use the rear entrance, keeping at least six feet of separation between passengers and cleaning the buses several times a day.
The university shared its condolences to the family and friends of the man on social media after learning of his death.
PREVIOUS STORY: The Santa Cruz County Public Health Division announced Tuesday that a second person has died of COVID-19 in the county.
The agency said the patient was a man in his late 60s with an underlying health condition. Officials said he was hospitalized on April 9 with symptoms that include fever, a cough and fatigue. He died early Tuesday morning .
“This man was a father and grandfather and I want to express my deepest sympathies to his family,” Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said. “This second death shows how serious the virus is and how necessary it is for our community to continue to shelter in place.”
The Public Health Division said the patient lived in the southern part of the county and was a university employee. In his case, the disease was community-acquired.
Santa Cruz County currently has 91 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The county reminds residents that people aged 65 and older or with underlying health conditions are most at risk and thanks everyone who has followed Shelter in Place and physical distancing guidelines.
