Jefferson County health officials reported the death of another resident from COVID-19 Monday.

The person is the 18th to die from coronavirus in Jefferson County since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Dr. Allison Berry, health officer for Jefferson and Clallam counties, said the deceased was “a man in his 70s with an underlying health condition.”

“He had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but not a booster,” Berry said in an email to The Leader Monday.

The man was not a resident of a long-term care facility, she added.

“Unfortunately, deaths like this really bring home the critical need for boosters for our elder population. The most important safety step is to get vaccinated in the first place, but if you are over 65 or have an underlying health condition, we strongly recommend getting a booster as soon as possible,” Berry said.

Jefferson County has had 1,273 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since early March 2020.

A total of 53 residents are still in isolation, and 78 Jefferson County residents have been hospitalized due to the disease.

Health officials said three residents were still in the hospital as of Nov. 22.

Most of the people who have gotten COVID-19 in Jefferson County since early February — roughly
71 percent — have not been vaccinated, according to county health officials.

Most of the county is fully vaccinated. Health officials said 71.8 percent of Jefferson County’s total population has gotten the jab through Monday.