Falls County COVID-19 numbers continue to climb

Total positive coronavirus cases in Falls County have climbed faster in the past three weeks than they have during the entire pandemic. Since May 29, total numbers have gone up by 350 percent though for the three weeks prior numbers had been stagnant, at six total cases.

As of June 18, Falls County has a total of 21 cases, with an estimated 5 cases recovered, according to the DSHS COVID-19 dashboard.

It’s been noted by a number of experts in the field that a lack of widely available testing around the country has led to skewed test numbers, where the number of cases diagnosed is nowhere near the full amount of individuals who have contracted the disease. In Falls County, the testing numbers are slowly increasing, at a total 573 tests administered by June 17. This is an increase of nearly 200 percent since May 29.

Texas testing numbers have only gone up by about 150 percent since that date, but positive cases have increased by nearly 165 percent. There have been a total of 99,851 cases identified, which is 6.4 percent of the 1,560,537 tests administered. The state is expected to exceed 100,000 cases within the coming days.

The surrounding counties are following the same positive trends, though the ratios by which Falls County has increased are much higher than the others. Surprisingly, Bell County has increased the least with a growth of only 44 percent since May 29, despite having the largest population among the six counties. There were 772 cases recorded as of June 18. 

McLennan County is close behind, with an increase of 52 percent (222 cases,) while Milam County has gone up by nearly 55 percent (51 cases.) 

 Both Limestone and Robertson Counties have seen an increase of more than 150 percent. Limestone County has gone up by 167 percent, totalling out at 40 cases. Robertson County has a total of 23 cases, an increase of 288 percent. 

Even though the number in Falls county is still significantly lower than those in the surrounding Counties, citizens are strongly encouraged to continue following social distancing guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) 

Recommendations include keeping six feet apart while in public, wearing a facial covering and gloves, as well as continuous hand-washing. There are various ways the virus can be spread.

“Transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through objects and surfaces, like doorknobs, countertops, keyboards, toys, etc,” the CDC website states. “Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials.”

For more information on how to prevent coronavirus, as well as more information on symptoms, testing, and what to do if you are sick, go to coronavirus.gov or cdc.org.