(COVID related deaths increase)..This, according to the latest update.

The updates are released by the County Public Health Department. According to the Thursday update, the death toll from the virus is now at 486. That is an increase of 12 over the Wednesday update. The number of active cases of COVID 19, however, have decreased significantly. They are currently at 1,271. That is 100 less than what was previously reported. There are currently 122 COVID 19 patients hospitalized as a result of the virus, 12 less than what was reported Wednesday. There are still 2 ICU beds available in the county. New cases per day per 100,000 population is at 79.46, down from the 83.41 reported Wednesday. The positivity rate has also decreased. It is currently at 35.99%, down from the 39.45% previously reported.

According to the Imperial County Public Health Department , the deaths reported did not occur in the last 24 hours. All deaths reported to the ICPHD must be investigated to verify the diagnosis. Only after the investigation is complete are they included in the dashboard numbers.