Butte County Public Health announced Monday (May 24) that a resident in their 20s recently died of COVID-19 (no specifics were given for gender or the exact date of death). It had been roughly two months since the last reported fatality linked to the virus locally. The announcement brings the total to 188 confirmed deaths countywide.
A BCPH press release states that the county had stopped announcing individual deaths several months ago, but officials chose to share this case to call attention to the fact that, despite declining local infections, Covid is still a potentially dangerous disease, particularly for those with underlying health issues.
“It’s important for the public to recognize COVID-19 is STILL very serious and can cause severe illness and death to people at any age,” reads the press release.
Community members with common health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension, along with those who are otherwise immunocompromised, should immediately see a healthcare professional if experiencing any emergency Covid warning signs such as trouble breathing; pain or pressure in the chest; inability to wake or stay awake; pale, grey or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds.
Public Health stresses that vaccines are highly effective at “preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.”
BCPH spokeswoman Lisa Almaguer confirmed that the person who died had not been vaccinated for the virus.
Butte County’s population is currently 37 percent vaccinated. Vaccines are free to the public and in many cases can be administered without an appointment. Visit Public Health for a list of vaccination clinics in the county.
Melissa Daugherty contributed to this report.
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