Fresno County adds to its deadliest COVID-19 month with 21 new fatalities
State health officials reported 21 new coronavirus deaths in Fresno County on Friday, overtaking Tulare County for most in the central San Joaquin Valley since the pandemic started in March.
It’s been a grim August in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Fresno County has hit 88 deaths for the month and the total for the six-county Valley went up to 200. The Valley in July saw a total of 206 fatalities.
August is already a deadlier month for COVID-19 in Fresno County than July, when 65 county residents died from coronavirus-related illness.
Overall, Fresno County has had 226 deaths since March.
Earlier Friday, the Fresno County Department of Public Healthy reported a second Fresno County child has died from COVID-19. The child was 17 years old or younger, according to county data.
About a month ago, California recorded its first pediatric death due to COVID-19. That child also was from Fresno and died at Valley Children’s Hospital.
Health officials in Fresno County also reported 368 new cases on Friday, putting the total since the pandemic to 22,535.
Earlier this week, the central San Joaquin Valley surpassed 50,000 total coronavirus cases.
Those cases include Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Madera, Merced and Mariposa counties. Across the region, more than 630 deaths have been reported.
COVID-19 cases in the central San Joaquin Valley
Tulare County reported two more deaths Friday, bringing the tally to 210. Positive cases also rose by 95 as the total increased to 13,117. At least 225 patients recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total in the region to 12,007.
Merced County added 94 new cases as the total went up to 7,428 cases. The number of deaths remains at 99.
Madera County reported 62 new cases, bringing the total to 3,339. Sixty more patients have recovered to bring up the tally to 2,538. No deaths were reported, keeping the number at 49.
Mariposa County reported no new cases or deaths early Friday, keeping the total at 69 and two deaths since the pandemic began. Sixty-four patients have recovered.
Kings County reported late Friday 44 new cases to reach to 5703. No new deaths were reported, and total deaths remain at 68. Total numbers include people in nursing homes and inmates in Kings County facilities.
Free COVID-19 testing at Roeding Park
United Health Centers is providing free COVID-19 testing 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Roeding Park. Testing is open to the public, though preregistration is required by calling 800-492-4227. Results will be given in three to five days.
Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias will also provide free face masks and food distribution at the event.
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 5:20 PM.
