COVID hospitalizations on rise in Kerr County

It has been a little more than a month since the county stopped issuing regular updates on the local COVID-19 situation, but an increase in local cases has prompted Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas to issue a new report.

According to Thomas, “Our hospitalization numbers are on the rise here, just as they are increasing in the 28 counties that make up the Alamo Area Council of Government. That is concerning and something for us to watch.”

Across the AACOG region, the Regional Medical Operations Center reports an aggregated hospitalization rate of 5.3%, which represents 438 COVID-19 patients in a 28-county region – a percentage not seen since March 14. “Perhaps the biggest factor to consider in all of this is that hospitals in the AACOG region are reporting that most of the new hospitalizations involve unvaccinated people,” Thomas said.

As of July 22, 14 people are hospitalized and receiving treatment for COVID-19 in Peterson Regional Medical Center. The Texas Department of State Health Services states that older adults are at greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

The Delta variant of the virus now accounts for most new COVID cases in Texas. It is known to spread more easily and may cause more severe disease, according to DSHS.

Peterson Urgent Care offers weekly vaccination clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m., as well as on Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. To make an appointment, call (830) 258-7373, and select “Option 2.” For additional information about vaccines visit : https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/2021.