The local Hays County Health Department recorded one death from COVID-19 and 145 new cases in its weekly report, with the positivity rate dropping to around 8%.
The county also reported a weekly case rate of 60.1 per 100,000, a daily case rate of 8.3 per 100,000 and one new weekly hospitalization per 100,000 in the weekly report, which includes information from September 29. to October 29. 5.
The HCLHD reported two hospitalizations in the past seven days in its weekly report. The county considers 60.1 active cases. The seven-day positivity rate this week was 8.43%.
The local Hays County Health Department currently reports COVID-19 data in accordance with how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculates whether a community has high, medium, or low transmission. Hays County has a low rate of COVID-19 transmission as of Thursday, according to the CDC.
Texas Department of State Health Services reported an additional 1,253 lab-confirmed cases on Thursday. There have now been 6,358,257 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in Texas and 89,268 deaths as of Thursday. There are currently 1,436 Texans hospitalized with the coronavirus, according to DSHS. The statewide positivity rate as of Thursday is 8.01%.
COVID-19 METRIC DEFINITIONS, COURTESY OF HAYS COUNTY:
New cases: Total number of new cases since the last report. This includes both PCR tests and antigen positive tests. This is a change from reports from the previous two years that separated PCR testing (confirmed) from antigen testing (probable).
Daily case rates per 100,000 (seven-day average): The number of daily new cases per 100,000 population. This is calculated by dividing the seven-day average by the county’s population and multiplying by 100,000. This normalizes the data in a way that makes it easier to compare data between areas with different populations.
Weekly case rate per 100,000 (seven-day average): Calculated by dividing the total number of cases in the last 7 days by the county’s population and multiplying by 100,000. This metric is what the CDC currently uses to determine COVID-19 community levels.
Active cases: The number of new cases in the last seven days. This number is a very broad estimate of the number of people who may be contagious.
Hospital admissions (past seven days): Total number of new hospital admissions for COVID-19 in the last seven days.
Hospitalizations per 100,000 (7-day average): Total number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions divided by county population and multiplied by 100.00.
Death : COVID-19 deaths reported within the last seven days.
Seven-day positivity rate: Percentage of tests performed positive in the last seven days. Calculated by dividing the number of positive test results by the total number of tests reported and multiplying by 100. The test positivity rate aims to measure viral prevalence in a community but is also affected by testing strategies and availability .
AVAILABILITY OF VACCINES
In Hays County, “walk-in” vaccination clinics are available. Vaccines are offered at Christus Trinity Clinic (formerly Live Oak), 401 Broadway from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with Pfizer doses available. A Pfizer walk-in vaccination clinic is held at Communicare in Kyle, 2810 Dacy Lane, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in San Marcos at several CVS pharmacies, several Walgreens pharmacies, both HEB pharmacies, B&J Pharmacy, San Marcos Family Medicine, and Sam’s Club Pharmacy. Visit https://www.vaccines.gov to see other locations across the county. Check with each location to see if an appointment is required or if walk-ins are accepted.
According to DSHS, 148,332 county residents are considered fully vaccinated — 65.3% of 227,126 eligible residents 6 months or older as of Thursday. DSHS said 173,766 Hays County residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or 75.4% of eligible residents. Additionally, DSHS said 65,463 citizens of Hays County received at least one additional dose of vaccine as of Thursday.