Imperial County , like the rest of California and the U.S. , is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The information released by the Imperial County Public Health Department shows that as of Thursday morning there are now 1,023 active cases of COVID in the Valley. Since the county began reporting the numbers there have been 14,644 individuals that have tested positive for the virus , that is out of a total Imperial County population of slightly over 180,000. The number of deaths reported Thursday stayed the same as Wednesday , 353. Imperial County healthcare officials are gearing up for an expected jump in coronavirus cases following the Thanksgiving holiday next week. Local officials are also concerned about the expected influx of off roaders to the Imperial County desert  with the obligatory accidents and trauma. The COVID-19 cases have already stretched hospital facilities and staff and the possibility of accident victims has county officials concerned.