The Kern County Public Health Department confirmed Monday 70 new cases of COVID-19 in Kern and 1 new COVID-19 related death.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 68.

Of the 4,558 cases, 3,194 people have recovered, while there are still 1,287 active cases.

The California Department of Public Health also announced over the weekend bars in Kern County should close immediately, as the county is seeing an increase in cases and hospitalizations.

California Public Health Officials issued the guidance to counties on the state monitoring list for 14 Days or more to close bars.

“Californians must remain vigilant against this virus,” said Governor Gavin Newsom in a statement. “COVID-19 is still circulating in California, and in some parts of the state, growing stronger. That’s why it is critical we take this step to limit the spread of the virus in the counties that are seeing the biggest increases.”

Kern County is one of five counties that are required to shut down bars, while the governor recommended six other counties close bars.

As of Monday, Kern County was in compliance with two of the three state metrics.

Kern testing positivity rate within a three-day window remains below 8, which is the state standard. Kern’s daily cases are also below 100.

However, Kern does not meet the three-day hospitalization average. The state’s goal is to have less than a 10 percent change in hospitalizations, but Kern had 13.68 percent as of Monday.