SAN BERNARDINO - (INT) – Another forty-four deaths linked to the coronavirus were reported Sunday in San Bernardino County. It was the second-highest number for a single day.

It brings to 546 the total number of fatalities in the county since the pandemic struck last spring and an 8.8% increase from the previous day.

Among the cities, San Bernardino has the most with 68 followed by Redlands, Fontana and Ontario.

Most of the victims are male Latinos.

Inmates in county jails and state prisons have been among those hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

In San Bernardino County, 27 more jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, for a total of 273 as of Friday. In Riverside County, 313 inmates are confirmed to have contracted the virus.

The numbers are even higher in state prisons. At last count in Riverside County, 1,454 are confirmed to have been stricken.

In San Bernardino County, hundreds of state prisoners were transferred from the California Institute for Men to other lock-ups.

Local health officials say many of the jail inmates are only experiencing minor symptoms of the virus. Those who are infected are in isolation, being monitored around the clock, and are given medical treatment.

Story Date: August 10, 2020