August was Fresno County’s deadliest month amid coronavirus. Officials add 27 new deaths
August was the deadliest month of the coronavirus pandemic for Fresno County and the central San Joaquin Valley.
There were 152 deaths in August in Fresno County and 315 in the six-county region. The second most was in July, which saw 65 and 206, respectively.
Fresno County added 27 deaths to its tally through Tuesday. The total number of Fresno County residents who died from reasons related to COVID-19 is now 290, health officials reported.
The county also reported 222 new cases, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 25,185.
To date, more than 707,000 Californians have tested positive for COVID-19 and more 13,000 have died for reasons related to the respiratory disease, the California Department of Public Health reported Tuesday.
The morning’s addition of 3,712 new positive cases statewide marks the smallest one-day increase since June 16.
Guidelines on testing evolve
Vohra said the state is recommending testing for people who have a high risk of catching the infection, high risk of passing it on or a high risk of dying from it.
That would include health care workers, first responders and people living in a congregate setting, as well as those with underlying health conditions.
A lower priority for testing is aimed at people who are healthy and do not have symptoms, Vohra said.
“I’m excited about testing. This is the month where testing is really going to turn around,” he said.
Fresno County school sues for right to re-open
Immanuel Schools has made a claim of “herd immunity” from COVID-19 part of its lawsuit against California Gov. Gavin Newsom, arguing it’s safe to continue in-classroom instruction at its Reedley campus.
A Fresno County Superior Court judge last Tuesday denied the county’s request for a temporary injunction against the school. A full hearing is scheduled Sept. 15.
That’s different from the lawsuit against Newsom and the acting director of the California Department of Public Health now before the state Supreme Court, where Immanuel Schools is one of nine petitioners, including Clovis Christian Schools. Its herd immunity claim is among other arguments for reopening, including “constitutional violations” and alleging Newsom lacked the authority to issue his orders.
Other Central California counties
Tulare County reported two new deaths and 266 cases on Tuesday. The totals since the pandemic began are 14,305 and 234, respectively.
Merced County tallied 49 new cases to reach 8,081 total cases. Two new deaths bring that total to 118.
Madera County reached 3,836 cases on Tuesday after adding 53 new cases. One new death pushed the total to 55.
Mariposa County reported two new positive cases on Tuesday in its first update since last Wednesday. The county now has 73 cases total and two deaths.
Kings County added two deaths to its total, which is now 74. Adding 22 positive case brought the total to 6,362.
The Sacramento Bee contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 4:31 PM.
