BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Public Health Services Department has announced the third COVID-19 related death in Kern County.

“We mourn the loss of a third Kern County resident” says Matt Constantine, Director of Kern County Public Health Services. “We are facing a tremendous public health challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic and our top priority continues to be protecting the health of our community.”

As of Thursday morning, there have been 306 positive cases among Kern County residents and 6 non-residents. Public health will release another update by 4 p.m. Thursday.