3 Hays County residents die of COVID-19; County reports 204 new cases

Three Hays County residents have died of COVID-19, marking the 134th, 135th and 136th coronavirus-related fatalities in the county. 

The Hays County Local Health Department stated that the residents who died were a Kyle man in his 60s, a Kyle man in his 70s and a Wimberley woman in her 70s. 

The county also reported an additional 248 recoveries from the disease, 204 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, 10 hospitalizations and seven hospital discharges on Tuesday. 

As hospitalizations increase in Hays County, Judge Ruben Becerra reminds county residents that higher numbers of hospitalizations could cause additional restrictions under Gov. Greg Abbott’s current reopening plan. Hays County is part of Trauma Service Area O, which also includes Travis County, which broke a 15% hospitalization-to-capacity rate for the third consecutive day on Tuesday. 

“Once our hospital region hits the 15% mark for seven consecutive days that will trigger certain closures or restrictions throughout Hays County businesses and organizations,” Becerra said. “Please folks, wear your masks, wash your hands and stay home unless it’s necessary to go out.”

There are currently 1,690 active COVID-19 cases — a 47-case decrease since Monday — and there have been 11,162 total cases since the first diagnosis of the virus in the county. There have been 2,419 active cases over the last 21 days — an 18-case decrease since Monday. The county stated that there have been 1,343 probable cases spanning from April 2020 through Jan. 5, 2021.

There are currently 39 county residents hospitalized by COVID-19 and there have been 575 total hospitalizations as of Tuesday. Some patients hospitalized by COVID-19 are in hospitals outside of Hays County but are included in the county’s numbers if they reside within the county, the local health department said. 

There have been 9,336 county residents who have recovered from the disease as of Tuesday 

The local health department has received 78,451 negative tests and there have been 89,613 tests administered in Hays County.

San Marcos recorded 65 new cases reported Tuesday. There are currently 543 active cases — six fewer than Monday —  and there have been 4,421 total cases. 

Kyle has tallied 3,449 total cases, including 493 active cases. Buda has recorded 1,888 total cases and currently has 365 active cases. Dripping Springs has amassed 471 total cases and has 99 active cases. Austin, within Hays County, currently has 58 active cases and has had 285 total cases. Wimberley has tallied 355 total cases, including 74 active cases. Driftwood has recorded 140 total cases and has 30 active cases. Niederwald has had 57 total cases and has 11 active cases. Mountain City has amassed 29 cases and seven currently active cases. Uhland has had 26 total cases and currently has two active cases. Manchaca has recorded 17 total cases, including four active cases. Maxwell has had 15 total cases and has seven active cases. 

Bear Creek has tallied four total cases. Creedmoor has one active case and has had three total. Woodcreek has had two total cases.

The 20-29-age-range has recorded the most COVID-19 cases with 3,479 total cases tallied as of Tuesday.

According to the local health department, 1,771 county residents diagnosed with the disease are between 30-39 years old, 1,484 people are 40-49 years old and 1,459 residents fall in the 10-19-year-old age range and 1,102 are between 50-59 years old.

Six-hundred-ninety-nine county residents diagnosed with the coronavirus are 60-69 years old, 600 are 9 years old or younger, 356 are 70-79 years old and 212 are 80 and older.

According to the local health department, 5,877 females and 5,285 males in Hays County have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The county’s ethnic breakdown states 46.8% of county residents diagnosed with the coronavirus are Hispanic, while 31.3% of county residents diagnosed with the disease are non-Hispanic and 22% don’t have a specified ethnicity.

By race, 70% of county residents who’ve had COVID-19 are white, 26.7% are unknown or not specified, 2.5% are Black, 0.7% are Asian and 0.1% are American Indian,

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported there have now been 1,626,568 Texans diagnosed with COVID-19 and 28,219 fatalities as of Tuesday. There are currently 13,308 Texans hospitalized by the coronavirus, according to the DSHS.

COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks for most people. The disease, however, can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death, especially for older adults and people with existing health problems.

COVID-19 vaccine availability 

According to a map provided by the DSHS, there are four providers in San Marcos who currently have received vaccine doses: HEB Pharmacy 455 (200 W. Hopkins St.); HEB Pharmacy 243 (641 E. Hopkins St.); Premier ER San Marcos (1509 N. Interstate 35); and San Marcos Family Medicine (2406 Hunter Road). According to the state, only groups 1A — frontline health care workers and residents of a long-term care facility — and 1B, which consists of those who are 65 years and older and people 16 years and older who have a chronic medical condition such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, sickle cell disease and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. Before visiting a hospital or clinic for a vaccine call ahead or visit their website.