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Positive local cases highest ever

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By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of local ­COVID-19 cases has snowballed over the last week, with test results increasing four-fold and rising.

According to the weekly update from the county judge’s office, a total of 109 tests were administered last week with 69 positive results – the highest single week total since the start of the pandemic almost two years ago.

Albany ISD nurse Lisa Russell reported a total of 18 cases last Friday, but the number doubled to 36 as of Tuesday.

“We had 36 total cases (on Tuesday) including seven staff members and 29 students,” she said. “During all of the 2021-22 school year, we had 42 total cases, and we have had 118 cases so far this school year.”

Russell added that even though the number of current cases has risen sharply, it represents only six percent of school’s total number of students and staff.

AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott said that school officials will continue to monitor the number of positive cases on each campus.

“Closing school could be a decision we make,” Scott said Tuesday afternoon. 

He also mentioned the need to monitor the speed of students and staff returning to campus after testing positive.

“This variant seems to be moving fast,” said Scott. “If we get in the situation that the speed of contagion is too great, we will need to limit person-to-person contact.”

The bulk of the local cases are being diagnosed at the Shackelford County Health Clinic, where 65 of the 69 positive cases were recorded for the week of Jan. 3-7.

“We are seeing high numbers of positive ­COVID-19 tests that span across all age groups with a variety of symptoms,” nurse practitioner Claire Ware said Tuesday. “There have been a number of breakthrough infections among those who are fully vaccinated and those with recent COVID infections.”

On Monday alone, the clinic reported 21 more positive cases out of the 29 tests administered, which were not included in the report issued for the previous week.

The clinic was also swamped on Tuesday testing additional cases, but totals were not available at press time.

“We are recommending hand washing and wearing masks for everyone,” Ware said. “Also, anyone who is ill needs to quarantine and seek COVID testing.”

The clinic reported that it had about 80 COVID tests still available on Tuesday, but additional supplies are on backorder.

“Hopefully we will have more tests soon before we run out,” Ware said. “Patients should still call in with their symptoms. We will direct them what to do at that point, whether we can test them or where they can get tested.”

The ResourceCare Health Clinic is providing testing as well, and the EMS station was also conducting tests. However, the EMS station has loaned most of its remaining tests to the Shackelford County Health Clinic, since both are operated by the hospital district.

The county judge’s update issued on Tuesday reports that Trauma Service, which is the Abilene area, is reporting that 111 patients have confirmed cases of COVID-19 and are hospitalized, compared to 54 the previous week.

Currently, 17 of those patients are in ICU with no ICU beds available as of Jan. 10.

The Shackelford County Health Clinic reported that Moderna vaccines and booster shots continue to be available. The CDC has recommended that all fully vaccinated adults age 18 years or older to be fully vaccinated, including a booster.

The Shackelford County Health Clinic (325-762-3661) and ResourceCare Community Health Center (325-762-2447) both 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 now receive the vaccine, but only the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for that age group and must be obtained in Abilene.

Moderna’s vaccine is currently being tested for kids six months to five years old and could be the first one for that age group to get approval from the FDA.