COVID case numbers continue to go down
By Donnie A. Lucas
The number of positive COVID-19 cases tested locally dropped to its lowest level in weeks, with 14 positives recorded from the 33 tests administered.
Total positive test results dropped from 22 positive cases the week of Jan. 31 through Feb. 4 on tests administered at the three local testing sites.
According to the weekly report issued by county judge Bob Skelton, the hospitalized cases in Trauma Service Area D, which includes Abilene and Brownwood hospitals, also dropped to 73 from 98 patients the prior week.
Testing continues to be available locally at the Shackelford County Health Clinic, the EMS station and ResourceCare Community Health Center.
The total does not include any information about tests administered outside Albany or by use of home tests, which according to officials could be a significant number.
The federal government is now offering four at-home COVID tests free of charge to each household, with a number of citizens already receiving the tests in the mail. Anyone interested can go online to www.COVIDtests.gov.
Anyone who has not received the series of two vaccines or the booster follow-up dose is advised to do so by the CDC and the medical community as a whole.
The hospital district clinic reported administering 10 COVID-19 tests on Monday, Jan. 31, with four positive results.
Albany ISD reported just two new cases of students or staff testing positive for COVID-19 last week, both at the secondary school.
Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can make an appointment to be tested at one of the three local locations.
Free COVID-19 testing is offered at the Shackelford County EMS Station. Call 325-762-3313 to schedule an appointment.
The Shackelford County Health Clinic (325-762-3661) and ResourceCare (325-762-2447) offer testing and vaccines, including boosters, by appointment.
Currently, immunization shots and boosters are offered without cost as part of a federal program.
Children ages 5-17 can receive the vaccine and a booster, but only the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for that age group and must be obtained in Abilene.
