Frazier Park, CA (Friday, April 10, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.)—Yesterday a third death from covid-19 in Kern County was announced. Today the number of those known to be positive jumped to 371 (eight of whom are “non-residents,” the Kern County Department of Health said). A surprising number of children under 17 years of age are testing positive—19 so far. There are 200 people between 18 and 49 years of age who have tested positive, and 98 aged 50-64 as of today. There are 46 people over age 65 who have tested positive for covid-19 in Kern County.
Nationwide, there are 500,000 positive cases, and over 18,000 deaths. New York is reporting that heart failure deaths have increased by 400%—raising the theory that these might be undiagnosed corona virus deaths. Deprivation of oxygen to vital organs is the cause of death for many covid-19 fatalities.
It is widely understood now that lack of accessible testing has left a large number of people who have covid-19 infection, but don’t know it, walking around infecting other people. The number of asymptomatic “positives” who are spreading the disease is thought to be 40-50% of those infected, said Anthony Fauci, MD of the National Institutes of Health this week. That is why social distancing is critical to suppress spread of the pandemic—and to keep it suppressed. Wear those masks, wear those gloves, and stay home. Save a life. Meanwhile, The Mountain Enterprise this week is full of heartwarming stories of wonderful people who are thinking of the well-being of their neighbors while we are all sheltering in place.
Frazier Park, CA (Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 3:30 p.m., updated at 4:30 p.m.)—Kern County announced at 3:27 p.m. that a third resident has died from the covid-19 coronavirus. See this week’s issue of The Mountain Enterprise to meet the neighbor who wants to tell you about her own experience with covid-19 and what she’s learned. You’ll also meet the family that didn’t let the virus get in the way of celebrating a special day with their 8 year old birthday boy.
The Kern County Public Health Department updated its statistics to show 337 positive covid-19 virus cases, including at least one in these Mountain Communities. Nationwide, the covid-19 pandemic has killed more than 16,000 Americans. More than 460,000 Americans have tested positive. In Kern County, fourteen (14) children, ages 17 and under, are positive; 179 covid-positive are ages 18 to 49 years old; 93 are between 50 and 64; and 44 are people 65 and older.
Bakersfield, CA (Monday, April 6, 2020)—A Covid-19 case has been allegedly reported in Pine Mountain Club according to PMCPOA. Michelle Corson of the Kern County Department of Health said in a morning press conference that there were nine (9) new Covid-19 cases as of the morning of April 6, 2020. A total of 239 positive cases have been reported. Of those, three are youngsters 0 to 17 years of age; 123 are 18 to 49 years old; 71 are between 50 to 64 years of age; with 37 positives 65 and older.
Of those testing positive, 103 are from west Bakersfield; 77 are from east Bakersfield; 41 are from the valley area of western Kern County; and seven (7) have been reported in all of the Kern County mountain regions, including Tehachapi and now Pine Mountain Club.
There have been 4,902 tests; 2,823 were negative, and results for 1,840 have not yet been returned. Of the positives, 26 of the cases that were hospitalized were local residents.
Corson asked residents to consider that increasing social distancing by 30% reduces hospitalizations by 90%. She said that the health department has received 300 complaints of non-essential businesses remaining open. Of those, 150 have been contacted. A citation was given to one business.
The updated numbers this evening from Ventura County (which includes Lockwood Valley) are
- 5 new cases
- 226 total cases
- 64 recovered cases
- 45 hospitalized, of those, 36 had preexisting conditions, 6 with no preexisting conditions and 3 pending investigation
- 15 have been in the ICU
- 156 active cases under home quarantine
- 4,156 tested as of 4.4.20
Bakersfield, CA (Friday, April 3, 2020)—Kern County Public Health Services Department has received confirmation of the second COVID-19 related death in a Kern County resident. There have been 173 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kern County residents and three in non-residents and two deaths.
“We offer our condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them during this tragic time,” says Matt Constantine, Director of Kern County Public Health Services. “We encourage all residents to stay at home and practice social distancing when going out for essential services.”
Bakersfield, CA (Friday, March 27, 2020)—Kern County Public Health Services Department has received confirmation of the first Covid-19 related death in a Kern County resident. There have been 34 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Kern County residents and one in a non-resident visitor. The confirmed cases in the United States now number 97,479. Nationwide, there have been 1,488 deaths. Those numbers are changing by the minute.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family and are saddened by this,” Matt Constantine, Director of Kern County Public Health Services said of today’s news. “This is a tragic reminder of how serious Covid-19 can be and we encourage all residents to stay at home and practice social distancing when going out for essential services.”
This is part of the April 10, 2020 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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