COVID UPDATE: County records additional deaths due to virus
Milam County recorded six deaths due to COVID-19 over last week.
"This sounds like a broken record, but we must report another three deaths in Milam County last week, due to COVID-19," County Judge Steve Young said. "This makes a total of 6 deaths we reported for the week of Jan. 18, 2021. As of Dec. 28, 2020, less than one month ago, we only had 11 deaths; now we have a total of 24 COVID-19 related deaths in Milam County. We can solve this problem: wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands and above all, get vaccinated. The vaccine is safe and 95% effective. A special thanks to all of you who are doing your part to comply."
Young said the county received 300 first round doses and they will administer all 300 doses at the former Cameron hospital located at 806 N. Crocket this Thursday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be done by appointment only. The county will call the top 300 people on the waiting list for the shots. If you are called, please go to the website http://www.milamcounty.net/
On Friday, Jan. 28, the county will vaccinate the first set of second round booster shots. This will be done at the Milam County Health Department located at 209 S. Houston. This is by appointment only and those to be vaccinated will be contacted with their appointment times.
"During the week of Feb. 1, 2021, we hope to vaccinate many more people," he said. "We don’t know what our allotment will be, but it could be as much as 600 doses. Whatever we get, we will use it and vaccinate. We thank Sarah Goeres and Brookshire Brothers for partnering to create the first Milam County public/private COVID-19 vaccination clinic. This will be done during the week of Feb. 1, 2021 in Rockdale."
The county will continue with its COVID vaccination waiting list. Please call (254) 697-7000 or email Amy Guillen at aguillen@milamcounty.net to get on the list. Once on the list, the county will call to schedule your appointment, when it is your turn. Right now there are almost 2,500 people on the list.
"Thankfully our numbers in the county have been coming down. As of Monday there were 14 new PCR cases to report, 24 discharged cases and no open PCR cases. There are 16 new antigen cases with 17 discharged antigen cases and no open cases. However nine individuals were hospitalized and seven were discharged.
The hospital capacity rate is up again at 20.19 percent. This has to be under 15 percent for seven consecutive days before the business occupancy rate increases to 75 percent and the bars can reopen.
Current numbers:
1,140 total PCR cases – up 14
48 active PCR cases – down 10
0 open PCR cases
790 antigen cases
19 active antigen cases –down 1
0 open antigen cases
Total active and open cases in Milam County – 67 – down 14
16 hospitalized- up 2
4 on ventilators – up 1
24 fatalities – up 3