Tulare County confirms 20 new cases, two deaths as coronavirus outbreak still grows

Two more people have died in Tulare County after testing positive for the coronavirus. They are the 16th and 17th coronavirus-related deaths in the county in less than a month.

The Tulare County Health and Human Services agency confirmed the deaths in an online update Thursday. The agency also updated the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the county to 272, an increase of 20 cases from the day prior. The county has added more than 100 new cases this week alone.

More than 400 people are under self-quarantine and being monitored by health officials. The majority of the cases (215) are located in the Visalia area, with smaller outbreaks in areas around Tulare, Dinuba, Lindsay and Porterville.

The bulk of the cases in Visalia are linked to the Redwood Springs Healthcare Center, which saw an outbreak earlier this month. On Wednesday, health officials announced an outbreak among patients at Lindsay Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility.

Around the region

In an update late Wednesday afternoon, Fresno County health officials put the county’s current number cases at 265, a jump of 14 from the day prior. Seven people have died. Sixty-two people have recovered.

Merced County currently reports 79 positive cases. Three people there have died and 28 have recovered, according to health officials.

Kings County has 13 positive cases of coronavirus. The county has seen one related death and three people recover, according to health officials.

Madera County has 33 positives cases of coronavirus. The county has seen two related deaths and 19 people recover, according to health officials.