Falls County hits 1K COVID cases

As of December 22, Falls County surpassed a total of 1,000 positive coronavirus cases within the county. The first case was announced back in March, when a traveler returned home, immediately isolating with their household. 

On Dec. 28, the Department of State Health Services reported 1,035 cases, of which 183 are considered active and 55 are considered ‘probable.’ This statistic is relatively new and refers to those who have been exposed and are showing symptoms or those who have received a positive antigen test.

There have been a total of 16 deaths, nine of which occurred at Golden Years nursing home. AS of December 14, the medical facility had seen a total of 78 cases since the start of the pandemic, with only 18 active at the time. There hasn’t been any additional data since that date. The rehab center has had 22 total employee cases, all of whom have recovered, along with a total of 35 patient recoveries. 

Conversely, Heritage House in Rosebud has had a lack of reported patient cases, according to state data. There had been zero cases in patients and only six in employees by Dec. 14, two of which were active at the time. 

There have been over 10,000 tests given throughout the county, with testing numbers increasing each day. Drive through Covid Testing is available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Falls Community Hospital and Clinic parking lot. (Call 254-803-3561)

Across Texas, cases continue to climb, drawing nearer to 1.5M cases as the days pass. There were just under 185,000 active cases recorded as of Dec. 28. 

Vaccines are continuing to be dispersed throughout the state as well, distributed similarly to how testing for the virus was distributed in the beginning stages. 

The state is currently in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution, which includes residents of long-term care facilities and front-line health care workers. The next phase will prioritize older residents and people who are at the greatest risk of severe disease and death from the virus, state health officials announced on Monday.

“This approach ensures that Texans at the most severe risk from COVID-19 can be protected across races and ethnicities and regardless of where they work,” Imelda Garcia, EVAP chair and DSHS associate commissioner told the Texas Tribune. “The focus on people who are age 65 and older or who have co-morbidities will protect the most vulnerable populations.”

Along with those 65 years of age and older, those 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to: cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart conditions, organ transplantation, obesity and severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus will be prioritized as well in the impending phase. It is not yet known when a vaccine will become available to the general population; there is a possibility of additional vaccines that may speed up the process of distribution.

As the community continues to overcome the chaos that has come from the coronavirus pandemic, they are encouraged to continue following social distancing guidelines, wearing facial coverings, and avoiding close contact with those outside their households. Additional information on the current state of coronavirus in Texas can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.

The Marlin Democrat

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
Fax:(254) 883-6553