COVID rate doubles here in past month

Posted on December 23, 2020

Taylor County’s COVID-19 infection rate has doubled over the course of the past month, bringing the area’s total number of positive cases to 1,828 in the past eight-plus months.

As of press time Tuesday, the county had 138 positive coronavirus cases reported over the past 14 days.

In previous weeks, Taylor County had averaged approximately 52 coronavirus cases per week, reflecting the same steadily-worsening infection rate being seen nationwide.

Taylor County’s infection rate has doubled over the past 30 days, increasing from 6.92% on Nov. 22 (during a week in which 31 out of 448 people tested positive) to 15.35% (or 64 out of 417 people positive).

Over the past week Taylor County has recorded one new hospitalization and two new reported COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the numbers since April to a total of 77 hospitalizations and 25 deaths.

The Department of Health-Taylor continues to encourage residents to wear face masks, social distance and quarantine for 14 days if they are exposed to a COVID-positive person.

Of Taylor County’s positive coronavirus cases, 12.8% have been under the age of 17, which is almost in line with the statewide percentage of 12.6%.

Despite multiple classes being quarantined throughout the first half of the 2020-21 school year, coronavirus has infected only a small number of students and staff across all Taylor County schools since Sept. 6.

According to the DOH dashboard, only 51 students and staff total have tested positive for the virus across all seven Taylor County District schools and Point of Grace.

Similarly, of Taylor County’s positive cases, 12% have been 65 years of age or older, and only 3% (or 59) of the county’s cases have been linked to a long-term care facilities.

Fortunately, Marshall Health and Rehabilitation Center has reported just one COVID-related death in a resident.

While Taylor County’s correctional-related positive cases have stabilized at 748, those cases still represent 41% of the area’s cumulative 1,828 coronavirus cases.

Local and Big Bend area facilities are awaiting the distribution of several newly-approved vaccines.

While vaccines are not yet available in Taylor County, the DOH has reported that one unnamed area resident has received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

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