Central San Joaquin Valley has had more than 50,000 people with coronavirus
The central San Joaquin Valley surpassed 50,000 total coronavirus cases on Tuesday.
The chilling milestone – just looking at data from six counties in the region – included 797 new cases and five more COVID-19 deaths across Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Madera, Merced and Mariposa counties.
Of the total, 464 are currently hospitalized across the region.
Fresno County added 306 new cases on Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health reported, bringing the county’s total case count to 21,316.
Fresno County has had 3,338 new coronavirus cases just over the past seven days, according to state data.
In the six-county region, all except Mariposa County remain on California’s COVID-19 monitoring list for being coronavirus hotspots where public schools are still not allowed to open for in-person instruction.
Fresno County public health officials addressed that during a Tuesday afternoon video call with media, including that school children are still required to receive normal vaccinations, even with virtual learning.
Officials also talked about the importance of getting flu shots, which are already available; rabies and increased bat deaths, which can spread it; statewide food recalls; and continuing work with state strike teams to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 in the central San Joaquin Valley
The latest coronavirus case numbers as of Tuesday afternoon across the region:
Fresno County: 21,316 cases (+306), 205 deaths (+2), 9,172 recovered (+747).
Tulare County: 12,718 cases (+267), 206 deaths, 11,203 recovered (+232).
Kings County: 5,569 cases (+26), 67 deaths (+1), 3,263 recovered (+80).
Madera County: 3,196 cases (+67), 47 deaths, 2,370 recovered (+180).
Merced County: 7,171 cases (+130), 95 deaths (+2), 4,454 recovered (+128).
Mariposa County: 65 cases (+1), two deaths, 61 recovered.
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 5:07 PM.
