Cases in Falls County slow; third death recorded

Falls County has a total of 135 positive coronavirus cases as of Aug. 12, an increase of more than 15 percent  since Aug. 4. The county saw another day that matched the second record for the number of cases diagnosed in one day. Aug. 6 had a total of nine new cases, the same as the first large case day Falls County had nearly a month prior, on July 8. The other days in the last week rose by one and/or two cases per day.

Though exact numbers are not available, it is estimated that there are about the same number of cases confirmed on each side of the river and split between the sexes, though females and the west side of the Brazos river are slightly favored. There have been upwards of three separate families that have been diagnosed.

There were 41 active on Aug. 12, with 91 recovered cases and three deaths recorded. 

Falls County Judge Jay Elliott has stated that he believes that two of the three deaths were cases that were discovered after the death of the patient, meaning that they may not have died from the virus, but it was named on the death certificate as such. He confirmed that the other one was indeed hospitalized for COVID-19 and passed shortly after being admitted. The official also stated that two of the three deaths were females, but did not specify whether either of them were the patient whose case was confirmed before death.

Falls County has administered 2,803 tests, totalling nearly 17 percent of the population. There have been 7.71 cases per thousand people in the county. 

The counties surrounding Falls with similar population sizes are Limestone, Milam, and Robertson counties. Falls County has the least cases of the four but has administered the most tests. 

Milam County has had the most cases, at 346 on Aug. 10, but has the least number of active cases. There are 16 active cases, 324 recovered, with three fatalities recorded. There has been an increase of under six percent in the last week, leaving the county at 14.05 cases per 1,000 individuals in the Milam County population. The county has administered 2,564 tests. 

Limestone and Robertson counties had synonymous numbers through mid-july until Robertson outpaced Limestone in late July. They have come back to nearly equal numbers, with Robertson County having just a couple more cases. Limestone has 241 positives total, with Robertson having 244. Robertson has nearly double the number of active cases as Limestone, with 61 active and 179 recovered cases. Limestone has 33 active cases and 89 recovered cases. Both have recorded deaths; Limestone at three and Robertson with two. Limestone has given significantly more tests than Robertson, over 1000. Limestone has given 2,631 and Robertson has given 1,577.

The State of Texas has increased by about 16.5 percent in the last week, totalling 490,817 positives. There are an estimated 133,584 active cases and 349,833 recovered cases. There have been more than four million tests administered throughout the state. 

There are 16.57 cases per thousand people in the state, which continues to rise as cases increase. 

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced on Aug. 6 that there would be limited visitation allow in nursing homes and long term care facilities. HHSC  also issued enhanced emergency rules requiring additional actions by nursing facilities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“Access to family and loved ones is an important part of every resident’s health and well-being, which is why this policy shift is a move in the right direction for some of our most fragile Texans,” said Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (SD-18), Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. 

There are separate rules for long-term care facilities and nursing homes, but both are subject to specific emergency contingency rules including having plans in place for screening staff, residents, and visitors, as well as plans in place for obtaining two weeks worth of PPE and having a comprehensive COVID-19 response plan. Nursing Homes may have outdoor visits only, with physical contact not permitted. Long term care facilities may have both indoor and outdoor visits, with indoor visits accompanied by a plexiglass divider to protect patients. 

Both must have had no active cases diagnosed in staff or residents within the past 14 days and must be testing staff regularly.

On Aug 8, Governor Greg Abbott again extended the COVID-19 disaster declaration originally issued on March 13th. The declaration provides the state a variety of resources to effectively serve Texans as the Lone Star State continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

"Renewing this Disaster Declaration will provide communities with the resources they need to respond to COVID-19," said Governor Abbott. "I urge Texans to remain vigilant in our fight against this virus. Everyone must do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and washing your hands frequently and thoroughly. We will overcome this challenge by working together." 

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