(KWTX) – Bell County elevated the COVID-19 threat level to “Severe” saying “the public health system is strained,” a refrigerated trailer is being used as a temporary morgue in McLennan County and students at several area schools will learn remotely for the rest of the fall semester as another 452 cases of the virus were confirmed Thursday in Central Texas and at least seven more area residents died.
The total Central Texas case count rose to 37,979 Thursday, the death toll is approaching 600 and one local health official fears the situation may get worse.
“We expect another possible wave of COVID-19 cases after Christmas and if it is anything like the wave of new cases we saw following Thanksgiving it could certainly prove to be extremely problematic for Bell County,” the county’s health district Director Dr. Amanda Robison-Chadwell said Thursday.
Additional deaths were reported Thursday in Bell, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Leon and McLennan counties.
The virus may have claimed as many as 593 lives in Central Texas, but according to state data Wednesday at least 579 have died including 132 Bell County residents, two more than the local count of 130; 16 Bosque County residents; 19 Coryell County residents, three more than the local count of 16; 15 Falls County residents; 15 Freestone County residents; 10 Hamilton County residents; 23 Hill County residents; 11 Lampasas County residents; 18 Leon County residents; 20 Limestone County residents; 220 McLennan County residents, nine fewer than the local count of 229; 10 Milam County residents, one fewer than the local count of nine; eight Mills County residents; 41 Navarro County residents, five fewer than the local count of 46; nine Robertson County residents, and 11 San Saba County residents.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 244 more deaths from the virus Thursday, raising the statewide toll to 23,325.
DSHS reported 12,458 additional cases of the virus Thursday, 12,211 of them new, for a total of 1,296,132.
Of the total, 202,666 cases were active Thursday, 1,074,579 patients have recovered, and at least 9,045 were hospitalized, slightly fewer than on Wednesday.
In the two Trauma Service Areas that include most of Central Texas, at least 248 residents were in hospitals Thursday.
COVID-19 patients accounted for 27% of all hospitalizations and occupied 20% of available beds Thursday in Trauma Service Area M, which includes Bosque, Falls, Hill, Limestone, well above the 15% ceiling, which triggers capacity reductions under orders Gov. Greg Abbott issued on Sept. 17 and Oct. 7.
More than 11.7 million tests have been administered statewide.
The Lab Test Result Date clinical positivity rate was 13.18% Thursday, down from 13.3% on Wednesday.
An advisory panel Thursday endorsed Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow the recommendation
Vaccine is on the way, but distribution plans are pending
Almost 6,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to three hospitals in Bell and McLennan counties during the first week of distribution, according to a schedule released by the Department of State Health Services.
Scott & White Medical Center in Temple will receive 3,000 doses and Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center and Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco will each receive 975.
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center is one of 12 military facilities in the U.S. that will receive part of an initial allotment of 43,875 doses of vaccine from the Department of Defense, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. Wilford Hall at Joint Base San Antonio will also receive an allotment. Distribution will be conducted in phases, the Pentagon said.
BELL COUNTY
The Bell County Public Health District Thursday elevated the COVID-19 threat to Level 1: Severe Uncontrolled Transmission, the highest level on a four-step scale, after reporting 194 additional cases of the virus, 168 of them new.
“Our public health system is strained and while our healthcare partners are managing they are also under stress,” health district Director Dr. Amanda Robison-Chadwell said Thursday.
A total of 9,987 cases have been confirmed in Bell County and of that number, 1,639 cases were active Thursday while 8,348 patients have recovered.
The county reports 130 deaths.
State data, which includes Fort Hood personnel who live on post, showed an additional death for a total of 132.
Students at Academy Elementary School are learning remotely for the remainder of the week after exposure to four on campus who tested positive for the virus led to a 20% student absentee rate and a 54% rate for staff.
The Central Texas Food Bank will distribute food from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Dec. 19 at Temple College at 2600 South 1st St. in Temple.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor dashboard Thursday showed four active cases of the virus and a total of 186 since Aug. 1.
Texas A&M University-Central Texas Thursday showed three active cases involving students, and a total of 16 student cases and five employee cases since March. All students must complete online training on safe practices before returning for the spring semester. The university will hold an on-campus, walk-through commencement ceremony Saturday, divided into three separate ceremonies beginning with 86 candidates for graduation from the College of Arts and Sciences at 10 a.m., 115 candidates from the College of Business Administration at noon, and 55 candidates from the College of Education and Human Development at 2 p.m. More than 700 spring, summer and fall graduates were invited to attend, 256 of whom have confirmed.
The Killeen ISD’s online dashboard Thursday showed 311 cases involving students and 351 involving employees since March 16, and 59 student cases and 61 staff cases in the past seven days. The district Thursday reported one active case involving a student at Alice Douse Elementary; and cases involving two employees at Clarke Elementary; five students and two employees at Fowler Elementary; three students and two employees at Harker Heights Elementary; two students at Haynes Elementary; a student and two employees at Iduma Elementary; two students and two employees at Maude Wood Elementary; a student and three employees at Maxdale Elementary; eight students and six employees at Montague Village Elementary; two students at Mountain View Elementary; a student and an employee at Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary; two employees at Peebles Elementary; a student at Pershing Park Elementary; three students and an employee at Reeces Creek Elementary; a student and an employee at Richard E. Cavazos Elementary; a student and an employee at Saegert Elementary; two students at Timber Ridge Elementary; a student and five employees at Trimmier Elementary; an employee at Venable Village Elementary; a student and an employee at West Ward Elementary; an employee at Willow Springs Elementary; two students and two employees at Audie Murphy Middle School; two students at Charles Patterson Middle School; a student at Eastern Hills Middle School; two students and an employee at Liberty Hill Middle School; a student and an employee at Live Oak Ridge Middle School; two employees at Manor Middle School; an employee at Nolan Middle School; an employee at Palo Alto Middle School; three students and three employees at Smith Middle School; a student and two employees at Union Grove Middle School; two students and four employees at Ellison High School; two employees at Gateway High School; three students and two employees at Harker Heights High School; a student and an employee at Killeen High School; two students and an employee at the KISD Career Center; five students and an employee at Shoemaker High School, and two employees at non-campus facilities.
The Killeen ISD is offering free COVID-19 screening to students and employees from 7 a.m. to 11 .m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on regular school days at the former Nolan Middle School building at 505 Jasper Dr. in Killeen, using the 2nd Street entrance. Screening is by appointment and students younger than 18 require signed waivers from parents or guardians. The state-funded testing uses BinaxNOW nasal swab tests, which provide results in 15 minutes. Information is available online.
The Temple ISD’s online dashboard Thursday showed five cases at Temple High School; one at Lamar Elementary; two at Travis Elementary; one at Cater Elementary; two at Garcia Elementary, one at Jefferson Elementary, one at Western Elementary.
The Belton ISD’s online dashboard Thursday showed three cases at the Belton Early Childhood School; one case at Charter Oak Elementary; five cases as Chisholm Trail Elementary; two at High Point Elementary; one at Leon Heights Elementary; two at Miller Heights Elementary; four at Southwest Elementary; one at Sparta Elementary; two at Tarver Elementary; one at Belton Middle School; five at North Belton Middle School; four at South Belton Middle School; 18 at Belton High School; two at Belton New Tech High School; four at Lake Belton High School, and five at non-campus facilities.
The health district has created a guide for safe holiday practices that’s available online.
TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID-19 DATA
MCLENNAN COUNTY
The Waco-McLennan County Health District Thursday reported two more deaths from the virus, a 92-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man, increasing the virus’ toll in the county to 229.
State data, based on death certificates and county of residence, showed 220 deaths.
The county also reported 110 additional confirmed cases of the virus Thursday, 13 of them from ongoing surge testing, raising the county’s total to 15,990.
Of the total, 1,147 cases were active Thursday, 14,614 have recovered, and 104 were hospitalized, 21 of them on ventilators.
Seventy of the 104 are McLennan County residents.
The additional cases reported Thursday include two residents who are younger than 1; six who range in age from 1 to 10; seven who range in age from 11 to 17; 13 who range in age from 18 to 25; seven who range in age from 26 to 29; 19 residents in their 30s; 16 in their 40s; 23 in their 50s; six in their 60s; six in their 70s, and five who are 80 or older.
COVID-19 patients occupied 20% of available hospital beds and represented 27% of all hospitalizations Tuesday in the state Trauma Service Area that includes McLennan County.
That exceeds the 15% limit, triggering capacity reductions and restricting elective surgeries under orders Gov. Greg Abbott issued on Sept. 17 and Oct. 7.
The Fuzzy Friends New Year’s Eve fundraiser, the Barkin’ Ball, which was postponed because of the pandemic has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on April 17, 2021 at the Extraco Events Center in Waco.
Free COVID-19 test sites are in operation in the Waco area after the federal government provided 40,000 test kits to McLennan County as part of the effort to stem the spread of the virus. Additional details are available online.
The health district has contracted with Aardvark Mobile Health to provide mobile COVID-19 tests, using a small truck that can accommodate two testing lines with the capacity to administer as many as 500 tests daily. Additional details are available online.
For those experiencing disabling feelings of loss, change and sadness, short-term counseling is available through the Texans Recovering Together Crisis Counseling Program. A counselor can be requested using an online form or by calling 1-866-576-1101.
Baylor University’s online dashboard showed 77 active cases Thursday, 56 involving students, 19 involving staff members, one involving a faculty member and one involving a contractor. Since Aug. 1, a total of 1,638 cases have been confirmed. In the past seven days, 32 have tested positive for the virus for a clinical positivity rate of 2.9%. The university temporarily closed its football facility Thursday and “is taking all possible precautions” with a focus on hosting Oklahoma State on Saturday, Athletic Director Mack Rhoades said in a brief statement. The fall semester has ended. The university’s “Wintermester” begins on Dec. 17. Spring classes begin on Jan. 19. Students, faculty and staff will be required to test negative for the virus before returning to campus for the spring semester.
The McLennan Community College dashboard still showed 12 active cases Thursday, four involving students, and a total of 220 in the past three weeks, 182 involving students.
The Waco ISD dashboard Thursday showed 136 cumulative cases involving students, 149 involving staff and nine involving personnel designated as “other.” The district Thursday reported two cases at Crestview Elementary; one case at Hillcrest PDS; one at Lake Air Montessori; one at Parkdale Elementary; one at Provident Heights Elementary; one at South Waco Elementary; one at West Avenue Elementary; one at G.W. Carver Middle School; one at the Greater Waco Area Health Careers Academy; one at Indian Spring Middle School; five at Tennyson Middle School; seven at University High School; three at Waco High School, and three at non-campus facilities. Students at Tennyson Middle School are learning remotely this week after four people who were on campus tested positive for COVID-19. On-campus instruction should resume next Monday. Students at Waco’s Lake Air Montessori School are also learning remotely this week because of the high number of staff members who are quarantining. On-campus instruction is scheduled to resume on Monday. On-campus instruction at the school was suspended for a week on Nov. 5 and again on Nov. 18 through the Thanksgiving holiday last week.
The Midway ISD’s online dashboard Thursday showed one active case involving a student and one involving an employee at Castleman Creek Elementary; one involving a student and one involving an employee at Hewitt Elementary; two involving students and one involving an employee at Spring Valley Elementary; one involving an employee at River Valley Intermediate; three involving students and four involving employees at Woodgate Intermediate; five involving students at Midway Middle School; nine involving students and seven involving staff at Midway High School, and one involving an employee at a non-campus facility.
The Lorena ISD dashboard Thursday showed three cases involving students and one involving an employee at Lorena Primary; two involving students and one involving an employee at Lorena Middle School, and one involving a student at Lorena High School.
The Mart ISD’s online dashboard Thursday showed eight active cases at Mart High School, 38 of whose students were quarantined, and two at Mart Elementary, 27 of whose students were quarantined. The Mart ISD announced Thursday the two schools will be closed Friday and students learn from home beginning Monday and continuing through the end of the fall semester because of a rising number of cases of the virus.
The McGregor ISD’s online dashboard Wednesday showed four active cases at McGregor Primary; six active cases at McGregor Elementary; four at Isbill Junior High; and three at McGregor High School. McGregor Elementary School students will learn from home starting Friday through Dec. 18 because of COVID-19 concerns, Superintendent James Lenamon said in a letter to parents Thursday. Students won’t return to campus until Jan. 5, after the Christmas holiday. The district’s other campuses remain open. Six active cases of the virus have been confirmed at the elementary school, but as a result of contact tracing, 40% of the school’s instructional staff is on quarantine.
MCLENNAN COUNTY COVID-19 DEATHS
TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID-19 DATA
CORYELL COUNTY
Coryell County was reporting 1,471 active cases Thursday.
Of the total, 356 cases were active, 1,099 patients have recovered, and 16 have died.
State data, which include Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmates, showed 2,743 total cases, an increase of 44, and 19 deaths.
The Gatesville ISD’s online dashboard Thursday showed 19 active cases at Gatesville High School, 16 involving students; seven cases at the junior high, six involving students; seven cases involving students and two involving staff at the intermediate school; five cases at the elementary school, two involving students; four cases at the primary school involving students; four cases involving administration staff, and one involving a transportation staff member.
The Copperas Cove ISD’s online dashboard Thursday showed 10 cases involving students and four involving staff at Copperas Cove High School; nine involving students and one involving an employee at Copperas Cove Junior High; eight involving students and one involving an employee at S.C., Lee Junior High; two involving students and four involving employees at Clements Parsons Elementary; two involving employees at Fairview Jewell Elementary; one involving an employee at House Creek Elementary; one involving a student and one involving an employee at Williams/Ledger Elementary; two involving students and six involving employees at Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy, and one involving an employee at a non-campus facility.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Thursday was still showing 49 cases involving inmates and 22 involving employees at the Christina Melton Crain Unit in Gatesville where 387 inmates were on medical restriction and 49 were isolated; one case involving an employee at the Hilltop Unit in Gatesville where 30 inmates were restricted; two cases involving inmates and 16 involving employees at the Alfred D. Hughes Unit in Gatesville where 263 inmates were medically restricted and three were medically isolated; three cases involving employees at the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville; one case involving an inmate and two involving employees at the Dr. Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville where 100 inmates were restricted and one was isolated, and two cases involving inmates and eight involving employees at the Linda Woodman State Jail in Gatesville where 21 inmates were restricted and two were isolated.
The Cove House Free Clinic at 806 West Avenue D, Suite H, is offering free COVID-19 testing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays. Appointments are required and may be made by calling (254) 289-9865.
TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID-19 DATA
FALLS COUNTY
Falls County reported 854 cases Thursday, an increase of 11.
Of the total, 762 patients have recovered.
Fifteen residents diagnosed with the virus have died, according to state data.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Thursday was reporting 37 cases involving employees at the William Hobby Unit in Marlin where 83 inmates were medically restricted, and 16 cases involving inmates and four involving employees at the Marlin Transfer Unit where 295 inmates were medically restricted and 16 were medically isolated.
LIMESTONE COUNTY
Limestone County reported 480 cases Thursday, an increase of 15.
Of the total, 745 patients have recovered.
The virus has claimed the lives of 20 county residents, according to state data.
TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID-19 DATA
NAVARRO COUNTY
Navarro County reported 2,040 confirmed cases Wednesday, an increase of 14, and 994 probable cases for a total of 3,034.
Of that number, 251 cases were active and 2,704 patients have recovered.
The virus has claimed 46 lives in the county, according to local data.
State data showed 41 deaths.
TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID-19 DATA
OTHER COUNTIES
According to the latest figures Thursday Bosque County reported 579 cases, an increase of 11, and 497 recoveries. State data based on death certificates and county of residence showed 16 deaths.
Freestone County reported a total of 548 cases Thursday. Of the total 495 patients have recovered. A 16th resident has died, according to state data. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Thursday reported five cases involving employees at the William Boyd Unit in Teague.
Hamilton County reported 335 cases Thursday, an increase of six. Of the total 268 patients have recovered. State data showed a 10th death.
Hill County reported a total of 1,277 cases Thursday and 1,111 recoveries. A 23rd resident has died, according to state data. The Hill College dashboard Thursday showed one active student case on the Hillsboro campus. The Hillsboro ISD Thursday showed one student case at Franklin Elementary School; seven student and two employee cases at Hillsboro Elementary; five student and two employee cases at Hillsboro Intermediate; six student and two employee cases at Hillsboro Middle School, and nine student and three employee cases at Hillsboro High School.
Lampasas County reported 480 cases Thursday, an increase of 15, and 372 recoveries. Eleven residents have died.
Leon County reported 479 cases Thursday and 413 recoveries. State data showed an 18th death.
Milam County reported 721 confirmed cases Thursday. Of the total, 41 cases were active, 12 patients were hospitalized and 671 have recovered. Nine residents have died, according to local data. State data showed 10 deaths.
Mills County reported 182 cases Thursday and 121 recoveries. State data showed eight deaths from the virus. The county’s first COVID-19 death was reported on Oct. 21.
Robertson County reported 571 confirmed cases Thursday, an increase of nine, and 482 recoveries. State data showed nine deaths.
San Saba County reported 320 cases Thursday and 290 recoveries. Eleven residents have died, state data showed. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice reported two cases involving inmates and eight involving employees Thursday at the San Saba Transfer Unit where 21 inmates were medically restricted and two were isolated.
TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID-19 DATA
COVID-19 INFORMATION, LINKS AND RESOURCES
Copyright 2020 KWTX. All rights reserved.
"severe" - Google News
December 11, 2020 at 04:31AM
https://ift.tt/2Llch3j
Local county elevates COVID-19 threat level to 'Severe,' says public health system is strained - KWTX
"severe" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2OrY17E
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Local county elevates COVID-19 threat level to 'Severe,' says public health system is strained - KWTX"
Post a Comment