Record high cases of COVID-19 reported in county
Following state trends, Wichita County reported the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases in a week since the first case was reported here on March 18.
Since last Wednesday, 30 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Wichita County., according to the Wichita Falls Wichita County Public Health Unit.
This brings the total of active cases in the county to 40, up from only 12 last week. All of those who tested positive are recovering at home. The total number of positive tests in Wichita County since March 18 sits at 120 with 78 of those recovered, and two who died from COVID-19. The total number of positive cases in Iowa Park has not risen, and has remained at 25 for a few weeks.
Reportedly, two Wichita Falls eateries and a children’s dentistoffice are closed temporarily after employees tested positive for the virus. In addition, due to COVID-19 exposure, the Wichita County Indigent Healthcare Office on Scott Street will be closed until further notice, according to a release.
The first case was reported in the Iowa Park Leader March 19 issue. The following week, 28 people in the county tested positive, which was the highest until this week. Since April 2, weekly positive counts have been at 10 or below in Wichita County.
Despite the increase in active cases and hospitalizations across the state, including many under the age of 30, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday said, “It’s hard to tell exactly where those people contracted COVID. All we know is that because these people are testing positive at a higher rate who are age 30 and under, it informs us about certain strategies to take to make sure that we are able to reduce the number of people testing positive.”
Gov. Abbott went on to say, “The bottom line is this, and that is the increased capacity of hospital beds, it does raise concerns, but as shown today, there is no reason to be alarmed,” Abbott said. “Even though there are more people hospitalized, we still remain at the lowest threat level in our hospital capacity. We have plenty of room to expand beds. There are thousands of hospital beds that are available as we speak right now. And then there is the ability to surge even more hospital beds if it were ever to be needed.”
Abbott added that people should still practice social distancing and wear masks.
So far in Wichita County, a total of 7,869 residents have been tested with 7,099 of the results coming back negative. As of Wednesday morning, 650 tests were still pending.
Allred Unit
Last week, the Leader reported that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website was showing two employee positive cases, although it could not be verified by presstime.
We were notified that afternoon that it was a clerical error and there were no cases.
All testing of prisoners and employees is done through the State of Texas, and reported to the counties in which the person resides.
Monday, the TDCJ website showed one positive employee case, which was verified by a TDCJ spokeman in Huntsville. However, The Wichita Falls - Wichita County Health Unit hasnot been notified by the state, so they don’t believe the employee is a resident of Wichita County.
The new cases in the past week include:
Case 91
The patient is between the ages of 20 - 29 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a travel-related case within the state of Texas.
Case 92
The patient is between the ages of 6 - 19 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient had no daycare exposure. This is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 93
The patient is between the ages of 6 - 19 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient had no daycare exposure. This is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 94
The patient is 20 - 29 and is currently at home in isolation recovering. This is a travel-related case within the state of Texas.
Case 95
The patient is 20 - 29 and is currently at home in isolation recovering. This is a contact to a previous case.
Case 96
The patient is 50 - 59 and is currently at home in isolation recovering. This is a community spread case.
Case 97
The patient is 40 - 49 and is currently at home in isolation recovering. This is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 98
The patient is 20 - 29 and is currently at home in isolation recovering. This is a community spread case.
Case 99
The patient is 30 - 39 and is currently at home in isolation recovering. This is a contact to a previous case.
Case 100
The patient is between the ages of 30 - 39 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a community spread case.
Case 101
The patient is between the ages of 40 - 49 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a travel-related case within the state of Texas.
Case 102
The patient is between the ages of 20 - 29 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 103
The patient is between the ages of 30 - 39 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 104
The patient is between the ages of 40 - 49 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a travel-related case to Colorado.
Case 105
The patient is between the ages of 6 - 19 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient had no daycare exposure and is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 106
The patient is between the ages of 30 - 39 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a travel-related case within the state of Texas.
Case 107
The patient is between the ages of 50 - 59 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 108
The patient is between the ages of 30 - 39 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a community spread case.
Case 109
The patient is between the ages of 20 - 29 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a travel-related case within the state of Texas.
Case 110
The patient is between the ages of 20 - 29 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a travel-related case within the state of Texas.
Case 111
The patient is between the ages of 20 - 29 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a contact to a previous case.
Case 112
The patient is between the ages of 0 - 4 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient had no daycare exposure and is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 113
The patient is between the ages of 30 - 39 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a community spread case.
Case 114
The patient is between the ages of 20 - 29 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a community spread case.
Case 115
The patient is between the ages of 30 - 39 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient is a close contact to a previous case.
Case 116
The patient is between the ages of 6 - 19 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient had no daycare exposure and is a contact to a previous case.
Case 117
The patient is between the ages of 30 - 39 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a community spread case.
Case 118
The patient is between the ages of 20 - 29 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a travel-related case within the state of Texas.
Case 119
The patient is between the ages of 50 - 59 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. This is a travel-related case within the state of Texas.
Case 120
The patient is between the ages of 40 - 49 and is currently in isolation at home recovering. The patient is a contact to a previous case.
Nursing Homes
On May 11, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered all residents and employees at nursing home facilities in Texas be tested by the Texas Department of Emergency Management, which has been carried out at most long-term facilities in Wichita County.
Test results, by facility, have been released each week, with this week’s results below:
Promise Nursing Home
Had one pending test result remaining. That test was received last week and is negative.
Presbyterian Manor – Tested 5/31
Total Wichita County Jurisdiction: 147
Staff Total Tested: 106
Preliminary Positive: 0
Negative: 106
Pending: 0
Residents Total Tested: 41
Positive: 0
Negative: 41
Pending: 0
