This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientist was preparing to test a patient’s sample for SARS-CoV-2, using the CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)–PCR Diagnostic Panel. (James Gathany/CDC 2020)

One day after announcing the confirmation of the county’s 212th COVID-19-related death, Santa Cruz County public health officials confirmed Wednesday another death of an unvaccinated man.

The man, in his early 40s with underlying health issues, died Friday at his home, according to the county, with the county coroner’s office subsequently determining and confirming that COVID-19 was his cause of death.

The man’s death is the county’s fifth since the highly contagious delta variant entered the county in August, according to public health officials. All five have also been unvaccinated.

Before then, the county had not recorded a COVID-related death since May.

County officials urged residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to reduce the chance of both contracting the virus and developing serious illness or dying.

County residents can find information about getting vaccinated at http://www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus or by calling (831) 454-4242 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.