More people hospitalized as coronavirus count in Fresno County climbs toward 1,500 cases

Thirty-one new positive tests for the coronavirus were announced in Fresno County on Saturday, as the total case count grew to 1,448, according to the county Department of Public Health.

In addition, four more people were hospitalized for COVID-19-related issues, bringing the number of hospitalizations to 181.

That represents a 12.5% hospitalization rate among those who’ve tested positive. The percentage doesn’t include those who have or had COVID-19 in the county but never were tested.

The primary age group infected are those between 18 and 49 with 763 cases.

There are 115 cases among children and teens 17 and younger. And there are 224 cases among those who are at least 65.

The Department of Public Health did not report any new deaths, as Fresno County’s coronavirus fatality count remains at 22.

There have been 441 people reported to have recovered, up four from Friday.

The Department of Public Health reported that 18,164 tests in all have been received and processed, though that “may include minimal duplicates and tests conducted on non-Fresno county residents.”

Around the Valley

Madera County reported two new cases Saturday, raising its total to 84, with 63 people having recovered and still two deaths.

Kings County, late Saturday night, posted 11 additional cases to increase its total to 517, with unchanged totals of 184 people recovered and two deaths.

Mariposa, Merced and Tulare counties had not posted updates as of early Saturday night.

Tulare County has the highest toll in the central San Joaquin Valley with 1,641 cases, 75 deaths and 588 people recovered.

Mariposa County has just 15 positive results, with 14 of those already having recovered. There has been one death.

Merced County has 251 positive results, 147 people recovered and six deaths.

This story was originally published May 23, 2020 at 5:32 PM.