BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — State health officials are predicting a bigger surge in COVID-19 cases across the country in the weeks following the New Year.

The county dashboard registered one of the highest numbers of deaths in a 24-hour cycle, reporting 16x new deaths attributed to the coronavirus. That brings the total number to 502 in Kern County.

That combined with another 1,700 plus new positive tests. The total since the pandemic began now climbs to 66,526.

The number of people who have officially recovered has now topped 20,000. Another 13,000 plus are "believed" to have recovered with more than 32,000 isolating at home.

Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to address the latest COVID numbers statewide coming up at noon. It's expected he will announce that the stay-at home order for the San Joaquin Valley Region will be extended.

Meanwhile, the Latino COVID-19 Task Force will be hosting testing events for the next few days, and if you have time head to City View Church on Union Avenue. That one started at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.

If you attend you'll get a free face mask. You are not required to pre-register.

The next events are Tuesday at Fiesta Market in Wasco and Wednesday at MLK Park in Bakersfield.