COVID-19 cases setting records in Wichita County
Covid cases are surging once again in Wichita County, with local numbers midweek already surpassing last week’s numbers.
Active cases are at their highest since the first case was reported here in March of 2020.
Wichita County reported 1,302 new Covid-19 cases last week, more than double the week before, and cases this week have already surpassed last week’s ending numbers.
Deaths and hospitalizations are also on the rise, with eight deaths reported for the week ending Friday, Jan. 7, and 47 hospitalizations the same day.
The percentage of new cases last week who were not vaccinated was 82 percent.
Eight deaths were reported last week, one individual in their 30s; three in their 60’s; three in their 70s and one in their eighties.
Last week, when Covid deaths in Wichita County stood at 490, 94 percent of those were unvaccinated. Of the 29 vaccine breakthrough cases that resulted in death, 20 of those were over the age of 70, according to the Wichita County Wichita Falls Health Department.
The Iowa Park zip code reported 119 active cases last week, of the 1345 currently reported in Wichita County.
So far this week
By Wednesday afternoon this week, the number of new cases reported since Friday had already risen higher than last week’s total, to 1,709 cases. Six Wichita County residents have died as a result of Covid-19 since Friday.
In addition, Wichita County reported 64 people hospitalized for the virus.
Testing Problems
With long lines for testing and a virtual shortage of at-home Covid-19 test kits, getting tested the past two weeks has been problematic.
Wichita County Health Directory Lou Kreidler said, “I know that testing lines are long and some of the sites are running low or out of rapid tests, but still have PCR available. There are two sites offering free testing - both listed on our website - Blessed Hands and the Grinder Group.”
With many people testing at home who can get tests, some may not be getting officially tested. “I believe we already have under-reporting and people are getting positives with home tests and not reporting those to the health department or getting tested at a facility,” Kreidler said. “We do not accept home test. DSHS does not accept them either.”
Vaccinations and Boosters
While it is widely known that a person can contract the Coronavirus after being vaccinated and even boosted, scientific studies have shown that unvaccinated individuals are 13 times more likely to get infected than those fully vaccinated; and that unvaccinated people are 20 time more likes to experience a Covid-associated death than someone who is vaccinated.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, because no vaccines are 100 percent effective, it is expected that some fully vaccinated people will get sick with COVID-19, and that number will increase as more people get vaccinated. Vaccine effectiveness can also be affected by an individual’s own immune system, such as how well they respond to the vaccine when it is given and how much their immunity wanes over time.
Kreidler said Omicron is extremely contagious, as is evidenced by the number of active infections in Wichita County. “I think we still have a responsibility to ourselves and others to do everything we can to protect ourselves, our families and community from becoming ill. First and foremost we need to be up to date with our vaccinations,” Kreidler said Tuesday. “ If it has been more than five months since you received your second dose of Moderna or Pfizer or two months with Johnson and Johnson please get your booster as soon as possible. We are seeing more vaccine breakthrough cases in those individuals who are eligible for but have not received their booster.”
She continued, “While vaccinations may not prevent you from getting ill. We know they do help to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations. Try to avoid large indoor crowds especially where individuals are not masking. Wash your hands often. If you do not feel well stay home. Omicron is going to spread and what may be mild for one individual could prove to be a serious health issue for another individual.”
A comprehensive list of providers and pharmacies administering COVID-19 shots in Wichita County may be found at www.wichitafallstx.gov.
Iowa Park Schools
IPCISD School Superintendent Steve Moody reported that at the end of the school day Friday, Iowa Park school had 12 positive staff members and 14 students positive with Covid.
Moody reported 28 more positive cases from the weekend until Tuesday, which includes 19 students and nine staff members.
Three area school districts, Burkburnett, Vernon and Electra cancelled classes this week due to a COVID-19 caused teacher shortage.
