BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Twelve Kern County residents and one nonresident currently in the county have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Kern Public Health.

The department said during a press conference this morning that eight of the cases are residents from west Bakersfield, three from east Bakersfield, and one from west Bakersfield.

Public Health said it is currently investigating if the residents contracted the virus in Kern County or elsewhere.

“While we are investigating all of these cases, it is likely that community transmission is now occurring in Kern County,” Public Information Officer Michelle Corson said.

With the new cases, Corson said that Kern County residents can no longer be considered at low risk for contracting COVID-19.

“At this point, that is evident with the changes that have been occurring,” she said. “We’re seeing more confirmed cases, so that’s fair to say.

As of this evening, 296 tests are currently pending and there have been 187 negative results, according to Public Health.

Nationwide, there are 35,074 positive cases and 447 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.