Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – A sudden jump in the number of people being hospitalized with COVID-19 has prompted Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez to once again urge people to take caution when in public.
“I know all of us are tired and all of us are frustrated with this disease,” Judge Cortez said. “But it’s still here and it’s still dangerous.”
On Monday, Hidalgo County saw a 38 percent increase in the number of people being hospitalized because of the virus – from 67 people to 93 people. That same day, Hidalgo County hospitals saw a 50 percent increase in the number of people going into intensive care units because of the virus – from 24 patients to 36 patients.
While the overall numbers may be relatively low compared with recent months, the quick rise in hospitalizations and those in ICU has health care experts concerned, Judge Cortez said.
Health experts attribute some of this jump to the fact that vaccinated people are venturing out in greater numbers and traveling in greater numbers. But these same experts warn that even fully vaccinated you may still contract COVID or you may be a carrier of the virus if you travel to areas that have low vaccine rates.
Currently, nearly two dozen people in Hidalgo County who were fully vaccinated tested positive for the virus. Another 23 have tested positive for new variants of the coronavirus. No one locally has yet tested positive for the highly transmissible Delta variant.
“There are now 11 different variants and a whole lot more activity in our community,” Judge Cortez said. “While I welcome this return to normalcy, I urge people to continue to play it safe. We have said it before: practice good hygiene, wear facial coverings and be mindful of standing close to others in public.”
The biggest factor now working in our favor, Judge Cortez said, is the vaccination. “Please get vaccinated and please be vigilant. That’s the only way we are going to beat this disease.”
