New positive COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Hemphill and surrounding counties.

In their new 14-day testing summary published yesterday (Wednesday), Hemphill County Hospital reported that there are now 14 active COVID-19 cases in Hemphill County, based on the hospital lab’s positive test results from Aug. 18-31, and 33 positives in out-of-county residents.

Those numbers represent an increase of seven positive cases in-county since last week’s report, and 10 new cases in out-of-county residents over the last seven days. They do not include results for residents who tested elsewhere—nor do they represent the total number of active cases in Hemphill County at this time.

Out of 251 tests performed in the last two weeks by the HCH lab, 47 positive cases have been identified.

Hemphill County Hospital is treating two inpatients for coronavirus at present, as well as six non-COVID inpatients.

Canadian ISD reports confirmed positives among students and staff daily. Four students have tested positive since last Wednesday, including one at CHS, two at CMS, and one at BES. Those positive tests are included in the hospital report.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services data, more than 3,500 Texans have died of COVID-19 in the last month, raising the overall death toll above 55,000. Despite the rapid spread of the highlytransmissible delta variant in the state, Gov. Greg Abbott continues to resist statewide restrictions on businesses, and has fought to ban local officials from implementing mask and vaccine mandates in their communities.

The Texas Tribune reported this week that numerous lawsuits have already been filed by cities, counties, and school districts in Texas’ major urban areas, challenging Abbott’s executive order.

Last Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Pfizer vaccine. Abbott reacted by announcing a ban on all COVID-19 vaccine mandates, regardless of their approval.

Today, people under 50 make up a larger share of hospital admissions, and more Texas hospitals are reporting ICU bed shortages than at any other point in the pandemic, the Tribune reported. In response to the historically-low staffing levels many hospitals face, the state is sending thousands of contract healthcare workers to help.

In a sea of bad news, The Daily Yonder offered good news on Monday. Rural vaccinations climbed by the fastest rate in six weeks from Aug. 20-26, The Yonder reported, adding that rural counties completed nearly 300,000 new vaccinations in those seven days, marking the largest single-week gain since mid-July.

“In the past three weeks,” according to Yonder reporters Tim Murphy and Tim Marema, “the weekly number of new vaccinations of rural residents has climbed by more than two-thirds, an indication that concerns about the current spike in new infections are affecting vaccination uptake.”

“Last week, 292,898 rural residents completed their COVID-19 vaccinations,” they wrote. “In late July, only 150,000 new vaccinations were being completed each week in rural counties.”

The Yonder has published a U.S. map detailing each county’s data, and showing how its vaccination rate compares to the national adjusted average of 48.3 percent.

As of Aug. 30, 16.5 million Texans (56.7 percent of the population) have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 13.7 million are fully vaccinated.

Only 32.6 percent (1,303) of Hemphill County residents are fully vaccinated—more than 30 percent below the adjusted average. Only 32 new vaccinations have been completed since mid-August. Hemphill County’s comparable status is over 30 percent below the adjusted average.*

Hemphill County Hospital is urging area residents to get vaccinated, in an effort to turn the tide on rising COVID numbers. The vaccines are available to everyone age 12 and older in Texas, and are free to all.

Locally, Moderna vaccines—which require two doses—are available for anyone 18 or older on a walk-in basis, Wednesday and Friday only, from 10 am to 4 pm, at Medic Pharmacy in Canadian. For more information, call 806.323.6171. No insurance is required. An ID must be provided.

While there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause any issues with either fertility of pregnancy, HCH is urging anyone with questions or concerns about the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility or pregnancy to visit with their OB/GYN or primary care provider to help them make an informed decision that is right for them and their family.

*The Daily Yonder map is based on data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and by selected state departments of health. To view the map detail, go online to https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gIhT6/1/.