Dire warnings on rising COVID-19 cases in county
Local COVID-19 infections are showing no signs of slowing down with 848 new cases reported in Wichita County last week, as well as seven deaths from the disease. There are currently 1,864 active cases in the county.
The Wichita Falls-Wichita County Health District reported that 90 percent of the new cases last week were unvaccinated.
During a presentation to the Wichita Falls City Council Tuesday morning, Wichita County Assistant Director of Health Amy Fagan said significant increases have been seen recently in new cases, deaths, average positivity rate and the average number of people with COVID-19 who are hospitalized.
She cited that deaths are up over 118 percent in comparison to a four-week period in July to August, versus a four-week period from August to September.
“We had a dramatic rise in cases. The challenge for us in public health is determining how, strategically, we are handling the situation, where we plan to go, and how we can best serve the community,” Fagan told council members.
Fagan displayed two graphs that show 2020 new cases during an 18-week period last year, and 2021 cases during the same time period, but during an11-week period. “What you’ll see is in 2020 it’s a 18-week period that took us from zero to almost 600, versus 2021 where it’s an 11- week period,” Fagan said. “It took us substantially longer in 2020 - almost two months - to see the dramatic rise in cases that we’ve seen in the last 11 weeks. And that is concerning.”
If trends continue, Fagan said it is projected that we may see more than 1400 per week by the end of October, which would strain the resources allocated to handle COVID-19 cases. “The trends do not look good for our community, and they are very concerning,” Fagan told the council.
Forecasting models are run by the Health District to project numbers of cases anticipated based on current and historical information, which is important to ensure adequate staffing to mitigate the pandemic.
“We are having a hard time right now with actively managing cases,” Fagan said. “The staff worked over the (holiday) weekend. We have committed to not being behind but I can tell you it’s very challenging.”
The seven deaths reported in Wichita County for last week included one individual in their 30s; one in their 40’s; two in their 50’s; two in their 60’s; and one 80+ (vaccinated J&J).
The number of Covid patients who were recovered and cleared last week was 335.
Last week’s positivity rate (ratio of confirmed positive cases to tests) was 27 percent in Wichita County.
As of last Friday, the Health District was reporting146 active cases in Iowa Park, 47 in Electra, 285 in Burkburnett and 1386 in Wichita Falls.
So far this week
By press time this week, the number of new cases reported since Friday stood at 276, with four new deaths already reported.
Hospitalizations
As of presstime Wednesday, 100 Wichita County residents are hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19, 28 of those in critical condition. Those in critical condition were in the following age groups:
1-20-29
2-30-39
5-40-49
8-50-59
8-60-69
4-70-79
During the Wichita Falls City Council meeting, Fagan said, “Currently there are two adult ICU beds available in our entire trauma service Area C and there are no pediatric ICU beds available in our trauma service area.
“I’m sure you’ve seen we are not alone in this regard, and we have very limited beds in the state of Texas, especially ICU beds. And it’s not just about beds, it’s about people being available to staff those beds, and keeping those people well and working. Because quite frankly, it’s a terrible time to be in public health and in healthcare” Fagan said, speaking to the stress COVID-19 is putting on the local medical community.
School cases
The Iowa Park CISD reported 29 cases in Iowa Park Schools from midday last Wednesday through last Tuesday.
Kidwell Elementary (pre-kindergarten - second grade) has reported five student cases and two staff cases; Bradford Elementary (third - fifth grade) 2 student cases; W.F. George Middle School (sixth to eighth grades), 10 student cases; and Iowa Park High School (ninth to 12th grades), 11 student cases and two staff case.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to prohibit any mandates of masks or vaccinations in Texas public schools, even as some Texas schools are having to close due to high infection rates and teacher deaths.
Fagan told council members that those under 50 years old account for over 70 percent of the COVID-19 cases in Wichita County. “Since 2021 started, we have never seen this 11-19 category lead the way. Of course that’s attributable to schools (starting),” Fagan said speaking of the high number of new cases in the 11-19 age group of new infections.
Vaccinations
“We’re really hoping that people do make the decision to get vaccinated, if not to protect themselves, but their families, their teachers, their co-workers,” Fagan remarked.
All people 12 and older are currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas, with children who are 12-17 years old allowed to get the Pfizer vaccine.
A comprehensive list of providers and pharmacies administering COVID-19 shots in Wichita County may be found at www.wichitafallstx. gov, then clicking on the COVID-19 tab.
Currently, providers are able to give a third dose to individuals who are severely or moderately immune compromised, and the dose is given 28 days after the second dose.
According to Wichita County Health Director Lou Kreidler booster doses, which have not yet been approved by the FDA or ACIP, are expected to begin to go into the arms of anyone who was vaccinated with either Pfizer or Moderna eight months after the second dose following approval.
