BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — On Monday Kern County Public Health reported 594 new cases of coronavirus, a big jump compared to their last report on Friday which only listed 145 new cases. The new case total now stands at 113,810.
There was one new COVID-19 related death reported lifting that total to 1,426 lives lost to the virus.
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There was one new delta variant infection bringing that number to 39.
Kern County Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan says while the number of positive COVID-19 cases grows, not every positive result is tested for variants.
“It's a little bit misleading because we get tested for COVID-19 it's a positive or negative test. Then the specimen actually goes to a different lab and is sequenced and only about 10% of our tests are sequenced statewide. We're going to see a lot less delta confirmations but know that transmission is still out in our community.”
There is also a delay in the variant testing process. Carrigan says it takes about 1 to 2 weeks for confirmation if a positive test is a variant.
