San Marcos sees first COVID-19 fatality

San Marcos suffered its first COVID-19 related fatality, the Hays County Local Health Department announced Tuesday. 

Hays County Epidemiologist Eric Schneider said the San Marcos resident was in their 60s and had been hospitalized for 3 weeks due to complications caused by the coronavirus. This is the third COVID-19 fatality recorded in Hays County. 

The county reported five new virus cases Tuesday, increasing the total to 214. There are currently 69 active cases within the county. 

The local health department has received 2,016 negative tests and has 117 pending tests. There have been 142 recoveries from disease in the county. Twenty county residents diagnosed with COVID-19 have been hospitalized, including three current hospitalizations. 

Austin, within Hays County, reported two new coronavirus cases, raising the total case count to six — including two active cases. San Marcos, Kyle and Wimberley all recorded a new case Tuesday. 

Kyle has had 99 total cases and currently has 34 active cases. San Marcos has recorded 61 total cases and has 19 active cases. Wimberley has had nine total cases and has four active cases. 

Buda has tallied 27 total COVID-19 cases, including six active cases. Dripping Springs has had six total cases and has three active cases. Driftwood and Niederwald have had two total cases each. Bear Creek has one total active case and Uhland has seen one total case. 

Forty-eight patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are between 30-39 years old. Forty-four residents fall in the 50-59-year-old age range. Forty residents fall in the 20-29 year old age range. Thirty-three people diagnosed with the disease are 40-49 years old. Twenty patients are 60-69 years old, nine are 70-79 years old, nine are between 10-19 years old, eight are 80 and older and three are 9 years old or younger.

One-hundred-twenty-four females and 90 males have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. 

According to the county, only 10 patients who tested positive for the illness had traveled before becoming sick, while 204 residents had no travel history before becoming symptomatic. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported Tuesday that 41,048 Texans have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and there have been 1,133 fatalities. The DSHS estimates that 22,674 Texans have recovered from the disease.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear between 2-14 days of exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that people should seek medical attention if they display one or more of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion or inability to arouse; or bluish lips or face. The CDC recommends calling a doctor’s office or emergency room before going. Those who self-isolate with COVID-19 can leave self-isolation if they haven't had a fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers), symptoms have improved and it’s been at least 7 days since symptoms first appeared, according to the CDC.