On July 21, 2021, Lyon County Public Health was notified of the first known death in Lyon County from the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This is one of 13 confirmed cases of the Delta variant in Lyon County.
“We would like to share our deepest condolences with the family who has lost their loved one,” said Dr. Ladun Oyenuga, Lyon County Health Officer.
Only 41.8% of Lyon County residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to state and local public health experts, communities with low vaccination rates are at especially high risk to the Delta variant due to how easily and quickly it spreads.
“The delta variant is an extremely contagious virus, and it can be a deadly infection in unvaccinated people,” said Dr. Oyenuga. “Nationwide, the people who need to come to the hospital, and those who are admitted into the ICU are almost exclusively unvaccinated people.”
The most effective way to protect against getting COVID-19 and its variants, and to prevent spreading the virus to others is to get vaccinated. People age 12 and older can get vaccinated free of charge, regardless of whether they have health insurance.