COVID-19 case numbers drop, death rate unchanged
Even as new COVID-19 cases continue to decline in Wichita County, the number of deaths from the disease each week are not.
The Wichita Falls Wichita County Public Health United reported 151 new cases - 82 percent of which were unvaccinated - in the county as of last Friday, as well as eight additional deaths as a result of the virus, and those succumbing to the novel Coronavirus continue to be prominent in the younger age groups.
Wichita County Public Health Director said Tuesday, “We have seen a drop in hospitalizations this week and the total number of hospitalized is lower than last month. We have had 163 individuals hospitalized - 23 percent of those are in their 60’s and 49.07 percent are younger than 60. Individuals under the age of 70 (currently) equal 72.39 percent of all hospitalizations.”
“We have had 33 deaths so far this month 42.42 percent of those were between the ages of 60 - 69 and 67 percent were under the age of 70,” Kreidler continued. “Eighty one percent of all those who died were unvaccinated. “
According to the Texas DHSH dashboard, only 48.12 percent of Wichita County residents overall are fully vaccinated; while 79.58 percent of Wichita County residents over the age of 65 are fully vaccinated.
“I believe the younger ages (who are dying and are hospitalizaed) are due to better vaccination rates in those over 65 and the fact that the Delta variant is more contagious and has spread widely among those who are unvaccinated,” Kreidleer added.
Of the eight deaths last week, one individual was in their 20’s; one in their 30’s; one was in their 50’s; three in their 60’s; one in their 70’s; and one in their 80’s. One of those individuals was vaccinated. Since March of 2020, 449 people in Wichita County have died as a result of COVID-19 out of 21,843 confirmed cases.
For the week ending October 22, the COVID testing positivity rate is 10 percent.
Active cases in the Iowa Park zip code again dropped last week, to 36 active cases.
The Wichita Falls Wichita County Health District also reported that 404 people recovered from the Novel Coronavirus last week.
So far this week
By Wednesday this week, the number of new cases reported since Friday stood at 70, with six new deaths reported.
As of Wednesday morning this week, 37 Wichita County residents are hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19, 19 of those in critical condition. Critical cases are in the following age groups:
1-20
2-30
3-40
5-50
6-60
2-70
To underscore how the younger and undervaccinated population of Wichita County is affected, it was reported that of all hospitalized, four are in their 20’s; three in their 30’s; three in their 40’s; 13 in their 50’s; nine in their 60’s; three in their 70’s; and one each in their 80’s and 90’s.
School cases
Iowa Park CISD reported five new cases in the past week, A student at Kidwell Elemtnary; one student and one staff member at Bradford Elementary; a student at W.F. George Middle School; and a staff member at Iowa Park High School.
Vaccinations
“It is time for us to use all the tools we have available to us,” Kreidler commented. “We need to work towards increasing vaccination rates in our community and ensuring those who want a booster receive their booster. The holiday season is fast approaching and we want to avoid the peak we saw last year after the holidays began. Get vaccinated for those you care about and love. It is the best gift you can give this season.”
Vaccinations are still free of charge and readily available at most physicians’ offices and pharmacies, as well as the Wichita County Heath Department.
Vaccinations
According to a press release from the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District Monday, It is time for us to use all the tools we have available to us. We need to work towards increasing vaccination rates in our community and ensuring those who want a booster receive their booster. The holiday season is fast approaching and we want to avoid the peak we saw last year after the holidays began. Get vaccinated for those you care about and love. It is the best gift you can give this season.”
Booster Vaccinations
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration made amendments to include the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for booster doses to the eligible population, along with the already-approved use of the Pfizer vaccine for boosters.
According to a release by the WFWCPHD, all people 12 and older are currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas, with children who are 12-17 years old allowed to get the Pfizer vaccine.
Vaccinations for children five years old and older are looking like they will be approved in the near future.
According to an October 26 article in Medscape, “The benefits of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 outweigh its risks, according to an independent panel of vaccine experts that advises the FDA.
Seventeen of the 18 members of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) on Tuesday voted to recommend the 10-microgram shot for kids, which is one-third the dose given to adults.
If the FDA follows the recommendation, as it typically does, and issues an Emergency Use Authorization for the vaccine, the shots could be available within days.
Wichita County Public Health District began giving Moderna boosters Monday. “ We do not currently have any J& J in stock. Pharmacies in town have been carrying the Johnson and Johnson vaccine so it is still available at those sites,” Kreidler said. “We have not had enough demand for that particular vaccine for us to order and it is available in the community.”
Speaking to the prospect of using a different vaccine for a booster than was used for the initial vaccination against COVID-19, Kreidler offered, “The guidance will allow for individuals to mix and match vaccine. The guidance did state this could be done in the case of the Moderna and Pfizer if the original vaccine was not available. For the J&J there are studies which show that getting a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna will provide a higher immunity than simply getting a J&J booster. The guidance for who can receive a vaccine is also different for Moderna and Pfizer than J&J. For the Moderna and Pfizer the booster is available for anyone over 65 and anyone 18-65 with a preexisting health condition or those who work in either health care or an environment that puts them at higher risk. “
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.
