Area COVID-19 Update – March 30

Numbers Starting to Show Promise

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

EAST TEXAS – Between the wintery weather and the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, the overall numbers are beginning to show promise. Still, now is not the time to let your guard down. Keep wearing masks, washing your hands and continue to practice social distancing.

While some steadfastly hold on the belief that COVID-19 is a hoax, over 550,000 dead Americans seem to indicate otherwise. Of these 550,000 dead Americans – by March 29 – the Texas Department of State Health Services (TxDSHS) reported 47,169 Texans had suffered a COVID-19 related death.

After a peak in the spring and early summer of 2020, the numbers began to decline during the fall months of last year.

Unfortunately, throughout the months of November and December, the numbers shot back up and the trend continued into the New Year. From Jan. 1 until Feb. 9, 33 of the 39 days saw reported cases above the 10,000 mark in Texas. There were also eight days where the number of newly confirmed cases eclipsed the 20,000 mark. 

Fortunately – in Texas – throughout the month of March, the number of new cases has stayed below the 4,000 threshold on all but six days and on Monday, March 8 only 1,100 new cases were reported, the lowest since April of last year. There were 1,881 new cases of COVID-19 reported on Monday, March 29.   

Houston County cases spiked in the early part of the summer, but as autumn began, the numbers started to fall. The county’s numbers remained relatively low throughout most of November, however as November faded into December, the number of active cases skyrocketed. The yo-yo effect continued as February rolled into March as the numbers have started to taper off.   

The latest report received from TxDSHS on March 29, indicated there were 46 active cases in Houston County. On March 22, there were 54 active cases in the county and 47 deaths.

In addition to the 46 active cases this week, TxDSHS reported 1,490 people had recovered from the virus while the number of deaths in Houston County attributed to COVID-19 now stands at 49.   

 “The Texas Department of State Health Services does not recognize and report some of the tests performed locally as ‘lab positive’, therefore we realize the numbers represented here may not be the total case count,” Houston County Emergency Management Coordinator Roger Dickey said late last year.

Moving to Anderson County, the numbers are continuing to decline. On Monday, March 29, Anderson County Judge Robert Johnston received notification of 11 newly confirmed and probable cases. That brings the total of active cases of COVID-19 in Anderson County to 125, with 77 deaths attributed to the virus. There have also been 3,053 reported recoveries. On March 22, there were 157 active cases and 75 deaths.

The Northeast Texas Health District reported on Monday, March 29 of the total 3,255 confirmed and probable reported cases in Anderson County, 2,408 were in the city of Palestine while 378 confirmed cases were in Elkhart. Frankston has had 203, Tennessee Colony now has had 114, Montalba has had 76 cases, Cayuga has had 15 and Neches has had 16. These numbers do not include recoveries.

There have now been 65 COVID-19 related deaths in Palestine, five in Elkhart, three in Tennessee Colony, three in Frankston and one in Montalba.

NET Health also reported gender breakdowns for the number of confirmed cases indicating there were 1,407 males and 1,829 females who had tested positive for the virus. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have reported a wide range of symptoms from mild symptoms to severe illness. The CDC is stating that symptoms which may occur within two to fourteen days after exposure to COVID-19 now include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. If you develop any of the following COVID-19 symptoms, please seek medical help immediately: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, or blueish lips or face.

Please be sure to call before going to a medical provider, to prevent any potential spread.

Residents are reminded to take the same measures that are recommended to prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory viruses. Everyone in East Texas should remember to:

• Wear a mask.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Practice social distancing – Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you believe you have symptoms.
• Cover your cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow or into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects using cleaning items that contain bleach.
• Follow all recommendations from your local health officials.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].