County seeing continued drop in COVID-19 cases

While new infections, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 continue to drop in Wichita County, the number of people eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine is expanding.

The Wichita County-Wichita Falls Public Health District reported 45 new cases of COVID-19 in the county in a seven-day period ending Tuesday, March 16. This was the lowest number of new infections reported in a one-week period since June, 2020.

Also for the first time in several months, no COVID-related deaths were reported in the same time period, keeping the death toll in Wichita County at 325 since the pandemic began.

This week, 79 more people were reported to have recovered from the virus.

As of Tuesday evening, only eight Wichita County residents were hospitalized with the novel Coronavirus, with one of those in critical condition.

As of now, those who are 50 years old or older, with or without co-morbidities, are eligible to get one of the three COVID-19 vaccines now available. “DSHS came out with the 1C category and those over 50 can get vaccinated irregardless of your health status,” said Wichita County Health Director Lou Kreidler. “If you’re a healthy 50 year old, you can get vaccinated.”

This week, the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health Unit is set to receive 1,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine, and Texoma Cancer Center is expect ing 200 doses of the same. Kreidler said the health district will utilize 500 of their allocated vaccines, and give United Regional Health Care Systems 300 doses and Clinic of North Texas 200 doses to serve their patients in the community.

The state is still focusing on the 1A and 1B groups for vaccinations, which include medical workers, emergen cy response workers, those over 65, and those under 65 who are medically compromised. The list was expanded last week to include teachers and daycare providers, and this week to include all over 50 years old.

Those wishing to get the Covid-19 vaccine should contact their medical provider, pharmacy or the Wichita County Health District to get on a list even if you are not in the 1A, 1B or 1C groups.

United Regional Healthcare System released the following statement Tuesday:

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services website 24,374 Wichita County residents have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, and 15,645 are fully vaccinated.

As of Tuesday evening a total of 91,236 Wichita County residents had been tested for COVID-19, with 14,718 of those positive since March 18, 2020.

FREE TESTING CONTINUES

Free drive-through testing continues to be offered by WellHealth indefinitely in the parking lot of the MPEC Center.