The Kern County Public Health Department confirmed Tuesday 16 new hospitalizations — the most ever confirmed in one day.

Kern’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have hit an all-time high number since COVID-19 entered Kern County four months ago. As of Tuesday, 99 people were being hospitalized. 

Health officials also confirmed two more COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total to 70.

There were also 107 new COVID-19 cases announced Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 4,665.

The California Department of Public Health announced Monday California’s positivity rate – a key indicator of community spread – is trending modestly upward in the 14-day average, and hospitalization rates over the long-term are showing a slight uptick in the 14-day average.

As of June 28, there have been 4,061,692 tests conducted in California, which represents an increase of 105,740 tests over the prior 24-hour reporting period.