The woman died Sept. 1, according to a Thursday statement from Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Marvin Trotter.
Trotter said the H1N1 virus was confirmed when the woman was admitted to Ukiah Valley Medical Center 10 days prior to her death.
He said the woman had significant underlying medical issues, and was one of the county's 12 prior confirmed cases.
“Approximately half of the deaths with H1N1 have longstanding or significant underlying medical issues,” said Trotter. “The highest risk categories for death appear to be obesity and asthma.”
As of Sept. 1, there have been 144 H1N1 related deaths in California and 1,663 hospitalized cases, the California Department of Public Health reported.
Nationwide, there have been 8,843 hospitalized cases and 556 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office issued a Wednesday statement noting that state public health and emergency response officials have been planning for the further escalation of the disease and the rollout of a vaccination program.
The Centers for Disease Control reported that the H1N1 vaccine is scheduled to be allocated in mid October.
Officials continue to urge basic precautions to prevent the spread of the flu, including covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; washing hands with soap or alcohol-based hand cleaners after sneezing; avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, which can spread germs; avoiding close contact with sick people; and staying home if you are sick for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer, to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
