Marin Reports 1st COVID Breakthrough Death

MARIN COUNTY, CA – Marin has reported its first coronavirus death of a vaccinated resident.

Marin County Public Health identified the person as a resident over the age of 75 who died Aug. 12. The agency said it will not release additional information about the person, citing concern about their family’s privacy.

The person was identified as Donna D'Acuti by NBC Bay Area.

Marin has reported 13,535 cases and 187 deaths since the start of the pandemic according to the county’s coronavirus dashboard.

D’Acuti was an artist and musical performer according to her website. She was the vocalist who led the band Donna D + 3 according to the group’s Facebook page, where friends posted a video of her singing one of her favorite songs.

“She was an interesting person with a life experience,” Bay Area drummer Alex Aspinall told the television station.

“She was an emergency room nurse in San Francisco for many years. She was a realtor in Marin. She was also an incredible artist.”

She was among several vaccinated people who were infected while performing at a Sausalito bar last month according to the report.

COVID-19 breakthrough deaths are exceedingly rare according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reported that less than 0.001 percent of fully vaccinated people have experienced coronavirus-related deaths (1,263 out of more than 163 million as of July 26), CNN reports.

“Death from COVID-19 among vaccinated individuals is rare, making up less than 1 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in the state of California,” Marin County Public Health said in a statement announcing the breakthrough fatality.

“The risk for severe illness or death post vaccination is highest in individuals whose immune systems are weakened, either by a preexisting condition or older age.

“Vaccinations remain our most effective tool in preventing severe illness and death. COVID-19 mortality in Marin has dropped more than twenty-fold since January after the wide uptake of vaccines. Currently over 95 percent of residents over age 65 are vaccinated.”

To find a vaccination site near you in Marin visit here or check the CDC’s vaccination site locator.