Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
First Fresno County COVID-19 Death Reported
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
April 3, 2020

Share

The first death in Fresno County from the coronavirus was announced Friday afternoon by public health officials.

“The best way that we can honor this person’s legacy is to really redouble our efforts to fight this infection with what we know works.” — Dr. Rais Vohra
The county now has 100 positive cases. Twenty-eight are travel-related, 24 are community-acquired, 18 resulted from close contact, and 30 are under investigation.
The person who died was described as elderly with underlying health conditions.
“It’s obviously still a shock for our community because it is our first death here in the county,” said Dr. Rais Vohra, the county’s interim public health officer. “I want to extend our deepest sympathies for the family and commend all of the medical providers who worked very hard on that case.
“The best way that we can honor this person’s legacy is to really redouble our efforts to fight this infection with what we know works.”

Convention Center Will Become Field Hospital

With COVID-19 deaths rising in the Valley, the Fresno Convention Center will house a 250-bed field hospital site to help alleviate the strain on local hospitals.
According to a news release Friday from the Fresno County Health Department, the site is expected to include beds, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment for staff and patients.
It is intended to help nearby hospitals by receiving and treating non-COVID-19 cases referred to the site from hospitals impacted by COVID-19 positive patients. Local healthcare professionals will staff the site.
The site was approved by state officials, who previously rejected the Fresno fairgrounds as the field hospital site.
“We welcome this valuable resource that will help hospitals provide necessary care to COVID-19 patients here in Fresno and throughout our Central Valley region should the need arise,” said Fresno County  Supervisor Buddy Mendes, who is the board chairman.
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, Fresno County has 94 positive cases. There are 399 people being monitored. No one in the county has died from the virus.

County Closes All Parks

Officials also said Friday that all Fresno County parks are being shuttered “to protect the health of the entire community and to promote social distancing.”
The closures are immediate and will remain in effect until further notice, county spokesman Jordan Scott said.

Madera County Reports Another COVID-19 Death

Madera County reported its second coronavirus death Friday.
“We regret to report the second death in Madera County connected to COVID-19. Our deepest condolences to their family and all of those affected,” the Madera County Health Department tweeted Friday.


The Health Department says the woman in her 70’s suffered from underlying health conditions. She died at Madera Community Hospital after she tested positive for COVID-19 on March 25. It’s believed to be a person-to-person transmission.
Madera has a total of 28 cases including 25 active, one recovered, and two deceased.

Tulare County Reports Third COVID-19 Death

The Tulare County Health Department reported a third death Friday from COVID-19. No other information was released about the case.
Tulare County has 81 positive cases, 4 recovered cases, and 3 deaths.
There are 176 people under self-quarantine and monitoring by Tulare County Public Health officials.

Second Death in Kern County

Two people have now died in Kern County from COVID-19. There have been 173 positive tests.
[covid-19-tracker]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

DON'T MISS

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

DON'T MISS

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

DON'T MISS

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

DON'T MISS

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

DON'T MISS

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

DON'T MISS

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

UP NEXT

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

UP NEXT

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Fermin Solorzano

UP NEXT

Kings River Conservancy Names New Leader, Plans to Expand Public Access

UP NEXT

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

UP NEXT

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

13 hours ago

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

13 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

14 hours ago

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

14 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

14 hours ago

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

14 hours ago

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

16 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

17 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

17 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

18 hours ago

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

The nonprofit supporting Fresno State’s ag specialty college unveiled its first corporate sponsor Thursday supporting students and tea...

12 hours ago

12 hours ago

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

13 hours ago

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

13 hours ago

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

13 hours ago

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

13 hours ago

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

14 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

14 hours ago

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

Webster, GV Wire's Adoptable Pet of the Week, June 5, 2025
14 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend