JUDGE: Alarming rise of COVID-19 in Milam County

We are seeing an alarming rise in the number of active COVID-19 cases in Milam County.  

Since Sunday, we have had 43 confirmed new cases, bringing our total active case count in Milam County to 103. Furthermore, we tested 42 individuals in Rockdale Monday; 18 of those were positive, including six minors. We only had six active cases as we began the month of July and now we are racing toward our all time record of 173 active cases set back in late December 2020.   

In the month of July 2021 we reported four additional COVID-19 deaths. None of those who died had been vaccinated. We now have 12 individuals who are hospitalized and two of those are on a ventilator and in serious condition.

Back in December 2020 the vaccines were not available and our only protection was to stay away from others and wear a mask.  

Today, we have a vaccine that is readily available to anyone 12 years of age or older.  The vaccines will protect against a serious infection meaning a vaccinated person is unlikely to become seriously ill or die from an infection.  In addition, a person who is infected is less likely to spread the virus.  

In Milam County, we are vaccinating with the Moderna and Pfizer drugs.  Both have been given an emergency use authorization by the FDA.  An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is a mechanism to facilitate the availability and use of medical countermeasures, including vaccines, during public health emergencies, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Currently, over 8,139 Milam County residents have been vaccinated, representing about 38.54 percent of the approximately 21,000 individuals that could be vaccinated.  

On Monday, I met with a nice lady who resides in the county. She was infected and spent 34 days in a local hospital. She was released in June, but she still has trouble breathing. She recanted that she should have gotten vaccinated, but someone told her to wait, “what a mistake” she said. She wanted everyone to know that it does not make sense to wait, because once infected, it is too late for the shot.

Remember that once infected, it is too late to get help from the vaccine.  It takes two doses of the vaccine to be protected. There is a 28-day waiting period for the second dose of Moderna and a 21-day waiting period for the second dose of Pfizer. So please, get vaccinated. Protect yourself, your loved ones, your children and your neighbors-get vaccinated!