Merced County lists new coronavirus death, Kings 41 more cases in Memorial Day update

A new coronavirus-related death was announced in Merced County and Kings County reported 41 additional cases as a handful of central San Joaquin Valley health departments updated their totals to cap the Memorial Day weekend.

Merced County has now reported seven deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its total cases through Monday stood at 268, with 147 patients having recovered.

There have been 109 total deaths in the six-county central San Joaquin Valley region, more than 70 of those in Tulare County. Deaths nationwide are approaching 100,000.

Kings County’s total cases increased to 688, with recoveries remaining at 184 and deaths at two. The latest increase came a day after a triple-digit surge in the caseload, much of that attributable to a large outbreak at Avenal State Prison.

Madera County reported one additional positive test result and 85 in all. Sixty-three people have recovered there; deaths remained at two.

Fresno County provided no new update from its Sunday totals of 1,482 cases, 441 recovered and 22 deaths.

Tulare County, which no longer updates its numbers on weekends and holidays, was at 1,641 cases, 75 deaths and 588 people recovered as of Friday.

Mariposa County, also updated only through Friday, has 15 positive results, with 14 having recovered. There has been one death.

This story was originally published May 25, 2020 at 7:09 PM.