The Imperial County Public Health Department updated the numbers for the COVID-19 pandemic in the county.

As of Friday there have been 16,555 positive COVID -19 cases in the valley. Currently 987 are considered active and 15,208 patients have recovered from the virus. There have been 360 deaths attributed to the disease. Calexico zip codes have accounted for over 5,000 of the total cases and 124 of the deaths. El Centro has recorded 4,363 total cases and 115 deaths. As of Friday there were 18 COVID-19 positive patients in local ICU's and 16 ventilators in use for COVID patients. Local health care officials are gearing up for a surge on top of the current surge as we approach 14 days since the Thanksgiving holiday. Available hospital beds and staff are already stressed and a significant increase in numbers would push local staff and facilities to the maximum.