Surge in COVID-19 active cases continue in Wichita County

The Wichita Falls Wichita County Health District reported 1,083 new COVID-19 infections in the past week, bringing the number of active infections in the county to 3,183.

While the number of new infections remained steady, the number of deaths rose, as well as recoveries.

Twenty deaths stemming from the novel Coronavirus were recorded in Wichita County from January 6 - 12 in the following age groups: 60-69 - five; 70-79 - nine; and 80-89 - six. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Wichita County now stands at 232.

In addition, the health unit reported 1,208 recoveries in the past week.

Currently, there are 120 people hospitalized with Covid, 30 of those in critical condition.

Each Friday the health district releases an overview of active cases in the county by zip code. Iowa Park last week had 218 active cases, which is seven percent of the active cases in the county. We report that information each Friday after its release on the Iowa Park Leader FaceBook page. The same week tallied a total of 3,340 cases, with a 22.04 percent positivity rate among those tested.

Thus far, a total of 71,272 Wichita County residents have been tested for COVID-19, with 12,774 of those positive since March 18, 2020. The number of tests pending Tuesday evening was 480.

Vaccinations

According to Wichita County Health District Director Lou Kreidler, local entities who have received vaccines are giving them out as soon as they can. “None of them are sitting on vaccines,” Kreidler said Tuesday evening.

She continues to urge residents to contact their healthcare provider or pharmacy to get on a list for the vaccination.

Kreidler added that the WFWC Health District has begun a waiting list for individuals in groups 1A and 1B. Those wishing to be on that list should sign up online, which is recommended, or by calling 940-761-7909.

The Texas Department of Health Services website reported that 4,844 Wichita County resident have received the vaccine as of Tuesday evening. A total of 764,314 Texans have taken the shot.

In the meanwhile, health officials urge everyone to continue wearing a mask, social distancing and frequent hand washing.

Iowa Park CISD

January 6, the Iowa Park Middle School was notified of a staff member testing positive for Covid.

FREE TESTING CONTINUES

Due to the high percentage of cases locally, free drive-through testing is now being offered by WellHealth indefinitely in the parking lot of the MPEC Center in Wichita Falls. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The latest detailed information on hospitalizations released by the WFWC Public Health District include:

Total Hospitalizations = 120

Stable = 90

Critical = 30

0-5

No hospitalizations

6-10

No hospitalizations

11-19

No hospitalizations

20 - 29

Stable - 1

Critical - 2

30 - 39

Stable - 2

Critical - 1

40 - 49

Stable - 7

Critical - 4

50 - 59

Stable - 18

Critical - 3

60 - 69

Stable - 16

Critical -9

70 - 79

Stable - 21

Critical - 8

80+

Stable - 25

Critical - 3