SANTA CRUZ — A UC Santa Cruz shuttle driver diagnosed with COVID-19 died Tuesday, marking the second coronavirus-related death of a Santa Cruz County resident.

According to county health officials, the man was a father and grandfather in his late 60s who lived in South County. He had an underlying health condition and was admitted to a local hospital Thursday with symptoms including fever, cough and fatigue.

Laboratory testing confirmed he was positive for COVID-19, which health officials believe he contracted via community spread. He died in a local hospital early Tuesday.

The man was a shuttle driver at UCSC who last worked on the campus April 2. UCSC learned of his diagnosis over the weekend, and Chancellor Cynthia Larive confirmed his death in a campus message Tuesday afternoon.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that the campus shuttle driver who we had reported had tested positive for COVID-19 died earlier today of complications related to the virus at a local hospital,” Larive said in the message.

According to Santa Cruz Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel, the man had cardiovascular disease, a known risk-factor for COVID-19 complications and deaths.

“This individual was a father and a grandfather, and we mourn his passing along with his family and friends,” Newel said during a press call Tuesday afternoon.

“We’ve all worked very hard to minimize the impact from COVID-19,” Newel added. “And we can take some small solace that it has been more than two weeks since we announced our first death.”

The first COVID-19 death confirmed in Santa Cruz County occurred March 28. That person was a man in his early 70s who also had an underlying health condition.

Santa Cruz County had 91 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday afternoon, including 37 people who have recovered and 16 requiring hospitalization.

Sharing news of the driver’s diagnosis, Larive and another UCSC official said Sunday they believed the risk to the community was low.

They cited protocols put into place mid-March under which shuttle riders were directed to use the rear doors to enter and exit and maintain a 6-foot separation from drivers, while the shuttles themselves are cleaned multiple times daily.

However, students who rode the shuttle April 1 or April 2 and have any symptoms or concerns can call Student Health Services at 831-459-2591 to schedule a risk-assessment via phone and for possible COVID-19 testing.

In-person classes have been canceled at UCSC since March 11. UCSC has since announced plans to continue with distance learning through the summer term.

On Tuesday, Larive encouraged students in need of support to contact campus counseling services. Faculty and staff seeking support can contact UCSC’s employee-assistance program, she said.

“The deepest condolences of our entire campus community go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” Larive said in the message. “The employee was well-liked and respected by his colleagues in Transportation and Parking Services, and by the many people in our campus community who knew him.”