COVID-19 cases increase 500% in county in July

With the start of the 2021-22 school year looming, new Covid infections rose more than 500 percent in July, with no signs of slowing down.

For the week ending July 2, 42 new COVID-19 infections were reported by the Wichita Falls Wichita County Health District. The week ending on July 30 saw 231 new infections as new cases steadily rose each week of the month.

As of Tuesday evening, Wichita County Health director Lou Kreidler said 176 cases had already been reported for this week, “so we are looking at another week of increasing cases.”

In addition, four deaths from the novel Corona-virus were reported last week, two of them vaccinated. The deaths were individuals, in the 60-69, 70-79, 80-89 and 90+ age groups.

“I want to encourage everyone to get vac cinated and to wear a mask when they are in an indoor place place regardless of vaccination status, and individuals who are not vaccinated should wear a mask at all times in a public setting,’ Kreidler said Wednesday morning. “Please help our community slow the spread of Covid.”

The county also reported 121 new recoveries last week, leaving 335 active cases in the county as of last Friday.

Hospitalizations

As of Wednesday morning this week 32 were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Wichita County, with 12 of those listed as critical. Those in critical condition as of Wednesday were in the following age groups:

2-30-39

3-40-49

4-50-59

2-60-69 1-70-79

Positivity Rate

Wichita County’s positivity rate (the ratio of confirmed cases to tests) for last week was 21 percent, up from 15 percent last week.

Reinfections and Breakthrough Cases As of last Friday,

As of last Friday, WichitaCounty had a total of 83 reinfections (unvaccinated for COVID, and second time to have it), eight of which are active. They also reported a total of 90 vaccine breakthrough cases, 25 of which are currently symptomatic, and two of which were hospitalized.

Back-to-school concerns

Kreidler also expressed concern for students heading back to school in Wichita County. “So, we are looking at another week of increasing cases. Most area schools start next week,” she said.

“We already have a high positivity rate and now we will be sending our children back into congregate settings without the schools having the ability to mandate masking,” Kreidler continued. “My hope is that parents will be proactive and send their children to school with masks. If a child is a contact to a case and they are not vaccinated or are not wearing a mask they face being quarantined. This has the potential to have entire classrooms out or multiple classrooms if the child moves classes. This will be disruptive for both the students and teachers and the learning process.”

Although the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) and American Academy of Pediatrics last week recommended all students wear masks in school, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Thursday stating that no governmental entity can mandate masks; removes ability for local governments to limit capacity in businesses; and says any public or private entity that receive state funs may not require cosumers to submit proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

This came as Texas and Florida were reporting a full one-third of cases in the United State in the past week.

Who is eligible for vaccination?

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.

Testing

The WFWCHD does not recommend the home test, and they are not accepted by the Texas DSHS if a person has a positive result at home. Those individuals will need to complete a test with a provider if they received a positive result on a home test.

There is a list of Covid-19 test providers on the WFWCHD website. Walgreens continues to offer free testing.