Good news, not-so-good news with Covid numbers

The Wichita Falls Wichita County Public Health District reported another 12 deaths from COVID-19 last week, even as new case numbers and hospitalizations continue to decline.

The Health District reported 106 new cases of the novel Coronavirus in Wichita County last weeks - 70 percent of which were unvaccinated.

Of the 12 deaths last week, one individual was in their 40’s; three in their 50’s; four in their 60’s; two in their 70’s; one in their 80’s; and one in their 90s..

For the week ending Octobr 29, the COVID testing positivity rate is 10 percent.

Active cases in the Iowa Park zip code dropped slightly last week, to 30 active cases, eight percent of all cases in Wichita County.

The Wichita Falls Wichita County Health District also reported that 242 people recovered from the Novel Coronavirus last week.

So far this week By Tuesday afternoon this week, the number of new cases reported since Friday stood at 52, with three new deaths reported.

As of Tuesday this week, 25 Wichita County residents are hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19, 10 of those in critical condition. Critical cases are in the following age groups:

2-30

2-50

4-60

1-70

1-80

School cases

Iowa Park CISD reported only one new case in the last week, a staff member at Bradford elemtnary.

Vaccinations and Boosters

COVID-19 vaccinations for those 11 years and up and boosters are still free of charge and readily available at most physicians’ offices and pharmacies, as well as the Wichita County Heath Department.

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.

Vaccinations for 5-11 year olds approved

Although the CDC has approved COVID-19 vaccinations for children five to 11 years old, the WFWCPHD does not have a date when they will receive doses for that age group.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, endorsed a two-dose regimen of Pfizer’s lower-dose mRNA vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 years-old – meaning the shots are now available for immediate use.

The decision came hours after experts that advise the CDC on vaccinations strongly recommended the vaccine for this age group.

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated,” Walensky said in a prepared statement in Medscape.