COVID UPDATE: Cases on the rise again as holiday approaches

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Milam County and with the upcoming holiday week, County Judge Steve Young is urging people to be careful when visiting family and friends.

Young announced that there were 24 new active cases to report in the county on Monday, Nov. 23.

There were 12 new PCR cases and 12 new probable cases reported to bring the total cases to 850 in the county with 71 active cases in all. Two people remain hospitalized and 185 people are being monitored. There have been nine deaths in the county.

Milam County continues its free COVID testing as the state has announced that it will host free testing in Milano on Nov. 30.

The state free testing will be held at the Milano Fire Station on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for anyone. You don’t have to have symptoms to be tested that day. Testing is open to non-county residents.

Young said that testing has been brisk throughout the county with 43 people getting tested this past Tuesday in Rockdale with 13 positive results.

Young said the county has tested 327 individuals over the last week with a 26 percent positivity rate.

Testing will no be done in Cameron or Buckholts on Thursday or Friday of this week due to the holiday. 

Testing will resume Monday in Rockdale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little River Hospital; Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Thondale at the Fireman’s Hall; Wednesday in Milano from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fire Station; Thursday in Cameron from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fire Station; and Friday in Buckholts from 8 a.m. to noon at the Fire Station.

“We must do better,” Young said. “We must distance and wear a mask. This is our only protection. Know that when you are out in public, the virus is there also.  Please protect yourself and others by keeping your distance and wearing a mask.”

“The CDC is saying don’t travel for Thanksgiving,” Young said during Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting. “I ask everyone to do the same thing. I am going to be right here. We are not even having the kids over because of my fear of spreading this virus.”

During the Commissioners Court meeting last week the county moved for the Milam County Health Department to register to become a COVID-19 vaccine provider.

Health Department Director Robert Kirkpatrick said two vaccines are on the horizon and they will be given in two a two-dose regimen. He said the vaccines are proposed to have about 95 percent efficiency.

He said phase one will be healthcare workers and first responders followed by those in the high-risk population, then the general public.

Robert sends out a lot of information on this and I send it out also. If you would like to get that information I can get you on that list.

“Hope is on the way,” Young said. “A vaccine is coming. Robert has been working hard to prepare to get that out there. We are going to do some mobile vaccinations some how so that everyone can get vaccinated for this virus.”