Tulare County confirms 50th coronavirus death. Total case count reaches nearly 1,200

Fifty people have died of coronavirus-related causes in Tulare County, a number five times larger than in neighboring Fresno County.

The Tulare County Health and Human Services agency announced two deaths in its Monday update online. Over the weekend, the agency reported four other deaths from illnesses related to the coronavirus.

State guidelines call for counties to report zero new deaths for two weeks in order to move to Stage 2 of the Pandemic Roadmap outlined by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

There has been a least one death reported in the six-county central San Joaquin Valley region each day since May 5. Sixty-five people have died in Tulare, Fresno, Kings, Madera and Merced counties. Only Mariposa County in the region has yet to report a death.

The total number of positive coronavirus cases in the region stands at more than 2,500.

Tulare County has seen the greatest number of those cases. As of its Monday update, the county had 1,159 positive cases; another 969 people were in self-quarantine and being monitored by health officials. Testing has continued to increase. The county reports more than 3,000 tests have been administered.

Around the region

Fresno County reported 885 cases in its latest update Saturday. The county is still reporting the majority of the region’s recoveries (313) and nine of the region’s deaths.

Kings County jumped to 287 total positive cases as of midday Monday. One person has died and 50 have recovered.

Mariposa County stands at 15 cases total. A dozen of those cases have recovered.

Merced County was at 169 cases total as of an update Sunday. Three people have died and 91 have recovered.

Madera County had a total of 67 cases as of Sunday. Two people have died and 40 have recovered.