After many weeks of holding steady, COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise, not just in other parts of the country, but also statewide and here in the Valley. Daily new cases are at the highest they’ve been since early September, case rates and positivity rates are increasing, and all Valley counties—other than Madera and Tulare Counties, which are already in the “widespread” tier of the state’s reopening blueprint—are in danger of retreating back to more restrictive tiers.
Virus cases rates are not distributed equally throughout our region, however, and in many counties where zip-code-level data is available, some of the highest case rates can be found in smaller, sometimes-unincorporated communities. Why would that be, and what are local leaders doing to prevent the virus’s spread? This week’s COVID-19 update highlights the small-town experience featuring excerpts from conversations with Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran and Livingston Mayor Gurpal Samra.
Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot for Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare Counties (note that some numbers may have changed between the interview and publication):
As of Nov. 12:
- 1,521 deaths out of 113,814 cases
- 319 people hospitalized and 56 in ICUs
- In the last week, 17 people succumbed to the disease
- Average cases reported daily in the last week: 591
For comparison, as of Nov. 5:
- 1,504 deaths out of 109,676 cases
- 265 people hospitalized and 64 in ICUs
- In the last week, 30 people succumbed to the disease
- Average cases reported daily in the last week: 412
You can always find up-to-date information for your county here.
