County health officials concerned for holidays
With the number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Wichita County last week remaining much the same as the week before, Wichita County health officials are leary of what the upcoming holidays will bring.
Last week, 185 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Wichita County, down from 186 the week before.
Wichita County Public Health Director Lou Kreidler said, “I believe this (recent) increase is the result of the Thanksgiving increase in cases. I do not expect a drop in cases, I believe we will continue to see cases and have another increase in cases after Christmas and then again after New Years Eve.”
Kreidler also cautioned residents that this is coinciding with peak flu season. “Late December into January is our normal peak in flu season,” Kreidler said Tuesday. “I would not be surprised if we have a spike in flu cases as well during this same time frame. It really is important for individuals to get vaccinated for both Covid and influenza.”
“We did not have a flu season last year which has been attributed to individuals wearing masks, social distancing and good handwashing,” Kreidler continued. “We are not seeing those same precautions in place this year and experts are concerned we will not only see an increase in the number of COVID cases but influenza as well which could further strain our medical system.”
Of the new cases last week, 29 percent were unvaccinated.
Kreidler spoke to the recent rise in vaccinated cases in the county this week, saying, “Vaccinations provide protection against the virus, however it does not provide 100% immunity. Studies have shown that as time goes by that immunity begins to wane which is why the CDC now recommends individuals to receive a booster dose six months after being vaccinated. This booster serves to boost or increase your immunity and therefore reduce the potential for infection.”
“Today (Tuesday) we have 24 individuals hospitalized - three of those are in critical condition and two of the three are unvaccinated. Of the 24 that are hospitalized, only six of those are vaccinated. If you look at the death statistics for December to date we have had 5 deaths only one of those was vaccinated and they were in their 80’s. There are two deaths under the age of 60 and both were unvaccinated. Being unvaccinated greatly increases the potential for poor health outcomes,” Kreidler cautioned.”
The Health District reported one death from the novel Coronavirus last week, a person in their 50s.
For the week ending December 10, the COVID testing positivity rate was at 17 percent in Wichita County.
The Iowa Park zip code reported 30 active cases last week, of the 421 currently reported in Wichita County.
So far this week
By Tuesday afternoon this week, the number of new cases reported since Friday stood at 82, with one new death reported, a person in their 80s.
In addition, Wichita County reported 21 people hospitalized for COVID-19, four in critical condition.
Omicron Variant
The new variant of the novel Coronavirus, Omicron, that was first identified less than three weeks ago in South Africa has been found in both Dallas and Tarrant Counties in Texas this week.
Although no cases have yet been identified in Wichita County, Kreidler said it doesn’t mean it’s not here yet. “We are limited in the specimens that are eligible for sequencing. For a sample to qualify it must be from an individual who is fully vaccinated and has been hospitalized. Once a specimen has been sent off it can take up to two to three weeks or longer for results to return. We have four that were sent today (Tuesday) and three that will be sent tomorrow.”
She added, “The Omicron variant has over twenty mutations which has made the current vaccinations less effective. Which is why we need for individuals to get vaccinated and then boosted when eligible. A virus’s sole goal is to survive and as we have more cases it increases the chances of the virus mutating and creating more and potentially more dangerous variants. Vaccination remains the number one way to prevent infection.”
Vaccinations and Boosters
COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to every one five years old and older. Those wishing to receive a vaccine may register online through the WFWCPHD website.
A comprehensive list of providers and pharmacies administering COVID-19 shots in Wichita County may be found at www.wichitafallstx. gov, then clicking on the COVID-19 tab.
