COVID-19 downward trend in hospitalizations continues in area

Kerr County health officials were pleased to report that they saw an improvement in local COVID-19 hospitalizations over the weekend, with Peterson Regional Medical Center confirming it currently has 29 inpatients getting treated for the virus. That figure is down 7 individuals from the 36 hospitalizations reported in the county’s last update on Friday, September 10.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dipped slightly in regional numbers as well, seeing virus patients taking up 16.4% of hospital’s capacity, down from 17.9%. Kerr County is one of 28 counties which makes up TX DSHS Region 8. This particular region confirms 1,213 patients in hospitals receiving care for the novel coronavirus.

On Monday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported that Kerr County had 236 active COVID-19 cases, but this number does not include the 37 new cases that were confirmed by Peterson Health since September 10. In addition, the DSHS Dashboard online does not account for those who have tested positive with home diagnosis kits.

Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas continues to encourage everyone to continue practicing good hygiene, saying it seems to be making a positive difference. As for whether or not an individual should receive the COVID-19 vaccine, “getting the vaccine is a personal choice, but has been shown to be effective at reducing the spread of infection and reducing hospitalizations,” said Thomas.

Kerr County’s estimated total of eligible residents who are fully vaccinated against the virus is listed at 46.12%, which equates to 21,218 people. This figure is up by 127 people since September 10.

Gillespie County’s current COVID-19 vaccination rate is listed at 52.77%, which equates to 12,394 residents out of 23,486 residents age 12 years and older who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The county is confirming 105 active coronavirus cases, 10 hospitalizations at Hill Country Memorial Hospital and 65 virus-related fatalities, as of Monday, September 13.

Texas DSHS reports that as of Monday, September 13, there are 13,065 COVID-19 hospitalizations, 353,673 active cases and the official death toll stands at 58,901. The number of eligible Texans who are fully vaccinated is listed at 48.76%. COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas have slowly declined, but remain above the 13,000 mark for the second week in a row.

As of the week ending September 5, a total of 89,962 COVID-19 cases have been reported among students and staff so far this school year. Breaking that figure down further, there are 73,749 student cases and 16,213 staff cases listed. According to DSHS data, a total of 221,938 cases were reported in the 2020-21 school year.