Precautions urged as numbers rise
By Melinda L. Lucas
With what is being referred to as “the second wave” of coronavirus sweeping across the nation, Shackelford County seems to be experiencing its own smaller version of the surge, even though official numbers reported Tuesday by the Texas Department of State Health Services show only four new cases of COVID-19 and five active cases on the list.
However, Shackelford County Health Clinic has tested 21 positive patients in the past three weeks, according to county judge Robert Skelton.
“The DSHS list can be deceiving when a delay is noticed before appearing on the DSHS list,” said Skelton on Monday night. “However, trends and hospital capacities should be valuable, real time information.”
The county’s list from DSHS has added 11 positive tests in the previous 14 days, Skelton added, including cases from Moran, Hamby, Lueders, and Albany.
In addition to the local clinic’s report, officials at Hendrick Medical Center released a statement on Nov. 19 relating the “dire situation” facing the community and the Big Country area if the rate of new COVID cases continues at the rate it has been.
Hendrick officials stated that its ICU was full and past capacity, that surgeries were being postponed, and that a mobile morgue had been set up on site.
“My eyes have been opened to the severity of this illness,” said Albany ISD school nurse Lisa Russell. “People who had no pre-existing conditions that I never though would be so seriously affected have been really sick, and that’s right here in Albany.”
Russell said that she is working to educate AISD students, and she hopes they will take that information home with them.
“We are not trying to tell people what they can and can’t do, but those basic preventative measures like face masks and hand washing can help control the spread,” said Russell. “Every doctor and nurse friend I have says the same thing. This is not a scare tactic; it’s real.”
In addition to illnesses in the community, there have been several recent cases reported among the AISD staff and students.
“Our numbers have remained low, but this week we have four staff members and two students out due to testing positive,” said AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott. “However, we’re seeing a growing number of required quarantined close contacts in students and staff. Any time a parent tests positive, it requires their child to self-quarantine, so those directly impact us as well.”
Scott said that school officials are continuing the plan that was established earlier in the year.
“None of us are sure what will come after the Thanksgiving holiday, but we will manage as we have done thus far,” said Scott. “We do want to remind everyone to continually monitor themselves and to stay home if they do not feel well.”
The superintendent stated that remote instruction is still available for those students out due to illness or quarantine.
“We do understand the challenges of remote instruction but it is the best way to continue educating students while they are required to be out for an extended period of time,” said the superintendent.
Albany mayor Susan Montgomery urged local citizens to stay safe.
“We are a blessed community,” said Montgomery. “We have been tried and pushed like never before, but we have been steadfast in doing the best for Albany and our neighbors. Thank you for being a responsible citizen and may you have a safe holiday.”
