Local COVID-19 cases continue to decline

Kerr County officials were pleased to report that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline both locally and regionally. According to Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas, there are 10 patients currently receiving treatment for active COVID-19 at PRMC, and 125 active coronavirus cases.

The 28-county region that includes Kerr County has 348 hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients. This number represents 6% of the capacity of hospital facilities across the region. COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas dropped below 5,000 for the first time since July 26.

Kerr County recorded 2 more deaths of local residents due to COVID-19 over the past week. The county’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll stands at 127.

The number of eligible county residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is 49.92%. As of Monday, October 18, Texas Department of State Health Services reported 52.23% of all eligible Texans are fully vaccinated against the virus.

Bills intended to block any entity, including hospitals and private businesses, from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for employees failed to pass the Texas Legislature before lawmakers adjourned the third special legislative session early Tuesday morning.

Abbott called for the legislation as he took executive action to ban private companies from requiring employees or customers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, which will be in effect statewide even if lawmakers don’t act. Abbott’s order came four weeks after President Biden announced that federal contractors must have all employees vaccinated against COVID-19 and that businesses with more than 100 employees must mandate vaccination against the virus or require regular testing.