Napa County public health officials have reported their first COVID-19 death in a woman who was fully vaccinated.
Health officials said Thursday the woman – a Napa resident – was 65-years-old and had several underlying health factors. She contracted the U.K. variant of the coronavirus, also known as B117, and died after a prolonged time in the hospital. She passed away on Wednesday.
That particular strain of the virus is more transmissible and can cause more severe illness.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this individual," said Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa County Public Health Officer. "No vaccine is 100% effective but this does not diminish the urgency and importance of getting vaccinated, especially as more variant strains emerge."
Vaccine breakthrough cases have occured in a small percentage of people, 32 of which were fully-vaccinated Napa County residents who became symptomatic and later tested positive for COVID-19.
That's out of more than 71,000 residents who have been vaccinated.
"Vaccines provide exceptional protection against death and illness from the virus and all residents should continue to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others," Dr. Relucio said.
Sixty-two percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated in Napa County, officials added.
It was not immediately clear what COVID-19 vaccine the woman received.
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