County sees most active COVID-19 cases since Feb.

With 155 new COVID-19 infections reported in Wichita County last week, the number of weekly cases here has steadily risen since the first of July, mirroring the surge in Texas and the nation with most cases being among those who are unvaccinated.

According to Wichita County Health Director Lou Kreidler, this week’s numbers so far are no better, possibly worse.

Health officials are working to get people vaccinated as death rates and hospitalizations continue to rise as well, potentially due to the delta variant being up to 60 percent more transmissible than the previous leading alpha variant.

“This time last year as we watched the cases rise, we did not have vaccines and we were limited in our ways to fight the disease.” Kreidler said Wednesday. “This year we have a choice: we have vaccines. I understand people have their reasons for not wanting to get vaccinated, however I urge them to speak with their physician, seek information from a reliable source and get vaccinated. Remember if you are vaccinated and have an exposure you will not be required to quarantine. Please get vaccinated.”

Last Friday the Wichita Falls Wichita County Health Department reported two deaths from the novel Coronavirus, one resident in their 70’s and one in their 80’s.

57 new recoveries were reported last week.

Hospitalizations

As of Wednesday morning this week 21 were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Wichita County, 11 in stable condition and nine listed as critical. Those in critical condition as of Wednesday were in the following age groups:

30-39: 2

50-59: 3

60-69: 2

80-89: 1

90+: 1

Kreidler noted that as of Monday there had been 48 individuals hospitized in Wichita County thus far in July: 1 0-5 years; 2 20-29 years; 10 30-39 years; 5 40-49; 12 50-59; 9 60-69; 2 80-89; and 2 90+. Kreidler pointed out that there have been almost as many hospitalized COVID patients in their 30s as in their 50s. “Delta infects everyone at a higher rate.”

Mask mandates

Wichita County’s positivity rate (the ratio of confirmed cases to tests) for last week was 15%. A ten percent positivity rate was a threshold that Governor Greg Abbott had previously identified as dangerous, but even as the entire state’s numbers went over 10 percent for the first time since February, Abbott insisted this week he would not implement any further mandates regarding masks.

Tuesday, the Center for Disease Control came out with new guidance regarding wearing masks according to Kreidler.

“The CDC came out with a new mask mandate yesterday returning to the recommendation that individuals including those who are vaccinated wear a mask while indoors.” Kreidler said Wednesday.

Reinfections and Breakthrough Cases

As of last Friday, WichitaCounty had a total of 78 reinfections (unvaccinated for COVID, and second time to have it), seven of which are currently active. They also reported a total of 65 vaccine breakthrough cases, 10 of which are currently active, and two of which were hospitalized.

Kreidler addressed the concerns with breakthrough cases Wednesday. “The delta variant has changed what we thought we knew about COVID and what we as individuals need to do to protect ourselves and others. Vaccines remain the number one protection from getting COVID and while it is not a silver bullet and is not 100% effective it does provide protection for most individuals from developing serious illness and hospitalization,” Kreidler said.

She continued, “We have had individuals who were vaccinated who have been hospitalized and have succumbed to their illness and most of these have occurred in individuals who had a weakened immune system for various reasons. This should not be a deterrent to getting vaccinated.”

Kreidler urged residents to remain vigilent in light of the growing numbers, “The delta variant is spreading quickly among those who are either not vaccinated or are not fully vaccinated. Wear a mask indoors whether you are vaccinated or not. It has now been proven that fully vaccinated individuals can spread the delta variant even when they are not exhibiting any symptoms. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.”

According to an article in the Texas Tribune this week, 8,787 people in Texas died due to COVID-19 from Feb. 8 to July 14, and at least 43 were fully vaccinated. This means 99.5 percent of people who died from COVID-19 in that time frame were unvaccinated while 0.5 percent were the result of ‘breakthrough infections”, which the Texas Department of State Health Services defines as people who contracted the virus two weeks or more after being fully vaccinated.

School start soon

The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that students over two years old as well as school staff continue to wear masks to slow the spread when school begins next month. Even with the AAP recommendation, Gov. Abbott is not allowing Texas school districts local control over their health situation.

Tuesday, the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) called on Gov. Abbott to allow school districts to require masks when students go back to school

TSTA President Ovidia Molina issued the following statement:

“The Texas State Teachers Association calls on Gov. Greg Abbott to withdraw his prohibition on mask mandates and allow individual school districts to require mask use in their facilities if local officials believe masks will help protect the health of their communities as schools reopen for the fall semester.

Educators are eager to return to the classroom, but the pandemic is still dangerous. With COVID-19 cases increasing again and many people still unvaccinated, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that everyone older than 2 wear a mask when they go back to school. Children younger than 12 have not yet been approved for the COVID vaccine.

If Gov. Abbott really cares about the health and safety of Texas students, educators and their communities, he will give local school officials and health experts the option of requiring masks in their schools.”

Who is eligible?

All people 12 and older are currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. Children who are 12-17 years old are allowed to get the Pfizer vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are not mandatory for Texas students.

As of Tuesday 39.57 percent of eligible Wichita County residents are fully vaccinated; and 52.23 percent of Texans, according to the Texas DHS website.

Vaccinations

The Wichita Falls Wichita County Health District conducts free COVID-19 immunization clinics each Thursday, and the vaccine is widely available at most pharmacies and medical facilities in the county.