By The Leader Staff
April 18 Update: Kings health officials report 8 additional COVID-19 cases Saturday night

The Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH), as of Saturday evening, has confirmed eight additional cases of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosed in a Kings County resident. The county’s latest update brings the total cases of COVID-19 to 28.

The KCDPH has determined the eight new cases contracted the disease through close contact with a confirmed case. Two cases are in treatment in isolation, and all other cases are quarantined.

The below list depicts the current situation in Kings County:

Total Cases: 28

Total Deaths: 1

Health officials, as with all cases reported, are currently conducting communicable disease investigations in an attempt to identify any persons who may have had close personal contact with these individuals, including any friends, family members, or health care professionals, to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness.

Due to privacy laws, no specific information regarding any of the twenty-eight cases can be shared with the public. 

Kings County residents are encouraged to continue following the recommendations from the California Department of Public Health, the Centers of Disease Control, and the KCDPH to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Kings County and protect themselves and others from respiratory illnesses:

Click here for a list of providers 

The latest updates from the California Department of Public Health

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), as of April 18, there are now 28,963 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Califonia, and 1,072 deaths. For additional California information, click on the California Department of Public Health link.

Ages of all confirmed positive cases in California (April 18) 28,962 cases

Those wishing to keep updated may access the Kings County Department of Public Health website where the public can get the most recent and current information.

To protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, the California Department of Public Health has released the following public gatherings guidance:

How long will these limitations apply?

This guidance will remain in place at least through March. As with all advice that relates to COVID-19 response, authorities will revisit this guidance regularly to evaluate the continued public health need for it and to evaluate if any elements need to be changed. To stay informed, continue to monitor this link:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Guidance.aspx 

Kings County Department of Public Health continues to encourage that measures should be taken to protect yourself and others from getting sick, as with any virus, especially during the flu season. The Health Department reminds you there are several steps you can take to protect your health and those around you:

Please be aware the most reliable sources of information are the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Kings County Department of Public Health.  Please avoid social media as a source of COVID-19 information, as many times, the sources quoted are not reliable. We have included links to these organizations below:

Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH) website:

https://www.countyofkings.com/departments/health-welfare/public-health/c...

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website: 

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

The World Health Organization (WHO) website:

https://who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019