Patient with coronavirus in critical condition as Tulare County’s number of cases grow

Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville confirmed its first positive COVID-19 case on Thursday.

The individual is currently in critical condition and in isolation at the hospital. The patient tested positive Wednesday and is believed to have contracted the coronavirus via travel outside of the United States.

All employees and physicians in contact with the patient are wearing personal protective equipment, SCMC stated.

Earlier Thursday, the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency announced two more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).

This brings the total number of cases in the county to 20.

Both patients had been on vacation, so the cases are believed to be travel-related.

One patient is over the age of 65, the other is between the ages of 26 and 40, public information officer Tammie Weyker-Adkins said.

One is self-isolating at home. The other has been hospitalized.

On Wednesday, health officials announced a 19th case in Fresno County, and warned that uncontrolled transmission of the virus would likely cause the area to becoming a hot spot, overwhelming hospitals and leading to deaths.

Officials have stressed that it’s important that the entire community continues to practice social distancing and follow stay-at-home orders to help slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus.

This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 1:05 PM.