Mixed news with Wichita County covid numbers
While new cases of COVID-19 dropped slightly in Wichita County last week, we saw a record week in deaths related to the pandemic.
The Wichita Falls Wichita County Public Health District reported 13 deaths Friday afternoon, the most reported in a single week since the county’s first case of COVID in March, 2020.
Of the 13 deaths last week, nine were under the age of 70, including one individual in their 40’s; four in their 50’s; four in their 60’s; one in their 70’s and three in their 80’s. Three of those individuals were vaccinated.
With 726 new cases reported for last week, a 23 percent positivity rate, the number of active cases in Wichita County reached 2,114 to end the week.
Of the new cases, 86 percent were unvaccinated.
However, active cases in the Iowa Park zip code continue to rise, up to 173 last Friday, from 166 the previous week.
The Wichita Falls Wichita County Health District also reported that 631 people recovered from the Novel Coronavirus last week.
So far this week
By Tuesday afternoon this week, the number of new cases reported since Friday stood at 230, with four new deaths already reported.
Hospitalizations
As of Tuesday evening this week, 84 Wichita County residents are hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19, 26 of those in critical condition. Overall for the month of September, 54 percent of the hospitalizations have been under 60 years old. Critical cases are in the following age groups:
4-30-39
7-40-49
2-50-59
9-60-69
4 -70-79
School cases
COVID-19 cases reported in the Iowa Park CISD dropped to 10 cases in Iowa Park Schools from last Wednesday through Tuesday.
Kidwell Elementary (pre-kindergarten - second grade) has reported one staff case; Bradford Elementary (third - fifth grade) three student cases; W.F. George Middle School (sixth to eighth grades), six student cases; and none at Iowa Park High School.
Vaccinations
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.
There is also a possibility that vaccines for children five to 12 years old will be approved by November.
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.
Currently, providers are able to give a third dose to individuals who are severely or moderately immune compromised, and the dose is given 28 days after the second dose.
According to Wichita County Health Director Lou Kreidler booster doses, which have not yet been approved by the FDA or ACIP, are expected to begin to go into the arms of anyone who was vaccinated with either Pfizer or Moderna eight months after the second dose following approval.
