April 27 Update: Health officials confirm four more COVID-19 cases late Monday afternoon

Monday, April 27, 2020 - 5:51pm By The Leader Staff

The Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH), Monday afternoon (April 27), confirmed additional an additional four cases of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), just one day after reporting 15 new cases, the most significant number of one-day cases since the crisis began. The exposure of the four new cases is under investigation. Three cases are in isolation, and all others are quarantined.

As of Monday morning, it is unclear if the new cases - reported Sunday and Monday - were related to the Central Valley Meat Company, a Hanford-based meat packing plant. The Fresno Bee reported Sunday night that "several" employees tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-10) and were being quarantined. The Leader contacted the KCDPH and had not received confirmation as of Monday morning (April 27). For California totals, scroll down.

The following list depicts the current situation in Kings County:

Total Cases: 71 (up from 67 cases)
3 (Travel Related)
50 (Close Contact)
2 (Community Transmission)
16 (Under Investigation)
Total Deaths: 1
Recovered: 12

KCDPH is currently conducting communicable disease investigations 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 71 cases can be shared with the public.

As of Sunday, a Central Valley Meat spokesman did not have the total number of workers who tested positive. The plant runs five days a week, processing more than 1,500 cattle a day. According to The Bee, Central Valley Meat Holding Company is the seventh-largest beef packer and processing company in the U.S.

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:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands.
Stay in your home as much as possible. The only exceptions should be for getting food and/or necessary household supplies, medications, and medical treatments.
Wear a face mask or covering, and practice social distancing of at least six feet if it is necessary to leave your home.
Limit close contact, like kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.

Visit www.kingscovidinfo.com for current information and guidance.

California Update

As of April 25, California health officials report that the state now has 42,164 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,710 deaths. Local health departments also report that as of April 24, their departments have reported 4,593 confirmed positive cases in health care workers. More than 506,035 tests have been given in California.

California COVID-19 Total Cases: 42,164

Ages of confirmed cases