Fresno County sees slight increase in confirmed coronavirus cases

While it’s too early to determine whether the number of coronavirus cases in the central San Joaquin Valley is starting to subside, Saturday brought about just a few new positive tests of COVID-19.

The Fresno County Department of Public Health on Saturday reported four new cases of the coronavirus, which brings the county’s total to 315.

Tulare County had the highest daily increase in the Valley for the day with 15 new positive tests. Tulare County now has 397 total cases of the coronavirus.

Kings County, meanwhile, had quite a jump for having so few cases. Kings County reported eight new cases, increasing its total to 28.

Merced County had an increase of two cases since Friday, running its total to 87 cases of COVID-19.

Madera County’s total went up one and now has 34 positive tests.

Mariposa County, meanwhile, has yet to report a confirmed coronavirus case among the 90 tests that were administered (number of tests does not include additional testing through the commercial lab system, hospitals and clinics).

Updated test results conducted over the weekends usually have been smaller than the daily updates provided on weekdays.

In addition, Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County’s interim health officer, said he expects that Fresno County and the surrounding region likely won’t see a peak in COVID-19 cases for another week or two.

That’s based on what’s happened with faster and earlier rates of spread in more urban parts of California.

Protest in town

A handful of people gathered at Blackstone and Shaw Avenue to protest Gov. Newsom’s stay-at-home order.

The protest started around noon and lasted until 3 p.m.

This story was originally published April 18, 2020 at 6:35 PM.