Hemphill County Hospital CEO Christy Francis announced this week that visitors to the hospital and clinic will still be required to wear masks and to be screened when entering. Gov. Abbott announced last week that he would rescind the statewide mask mandate that had been in place since July 2020, and allow businesses to operate at full capacity.

In response, Francis did say hospital officials felt the decision may have been a little early, but noted, “The governor still wants people to wear masks. It’s just not mandated anymore.” She urged the public to be smart about the situations they are in, and offered a reminder to those who have received vaccines. “The vaccine doesn’t keep you from getting COVID… not 100 percent,” she said. “By wearing a mask and adding second layer of protection, you have best chance of all of not getting it or passing it along to a family member.”

Francis said the only protocol changes she envisions will probably be made starting in April, at which time, they will unlock the clinic and hospital doors, and will require all visitors to be screened when they register.

COVID testing results from the HCH lab and at Canadian ISD continue to flatline, meanwhile. In this week’s update, the hospital district reported zero new cases across the board: No COVID-19 test positives of in-county residents or out-of-county residents, and no active cases at either Mesa View Senior Living or Assisted Living. One MVSL staff member who tested positive on Feb. 24 was moved to the recovered list today.

In addition, Canadian ISD has reported no new positive cases. In a report filed Monday, March 8, there were zero new cases, zero active cases, and zero quarantines.

School trustees met last night (Wednesday, March 10) to discuss the latest COVID report, and to consider action on face covering protocols following the governor’s executive order issued last week. Their decision will be reported in next week’s Record.

In other good news, new COVID infections and deaths have declined by 20 percent in rural America over the last week, according to the Daily Yonder, continuing a dramatic decline that began eight weeks ago. A total of 44,528 new infections were reported in rural counties last week, the lowest level in six months. Deaths also declined by 20 percent, according to The Yonder, which has been covering the surge in infection rates in rural counties as it peaked eight weeks ago.

As a result, Francis said, the hospital district will cut back on the frequency of its COVID test reporting, and will only report lab results each Wednesday—“unless we have a new positive,” she added.

The hospital visitation policy has already opened up a bit, she said, though, it is still somewhat limited. Currently, no more than two visitors are allowed at one time, she said.

On the local vaccine front, Francis reported that HCH received 300 of the new one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week, and Canadian Family Physicians Clinic received 100. “We will be doing the remainder of our waiting list, which still has approximately 65 names on it, tomorrow,” Francis said. “Then, we will schedule an open clinic for ages 50 and over next Wednesday.”

State health officials announced yesterday that Texans age 50 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 15.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Francis said. “We may lower the age for the next clinic. We may also go into Roberts or Lipscomb County, and do clinics in those places for people who can’t travel.”

Francis said that in addition to the fact that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one shot, they can be obtained in smaller five-vial batches—an improvement over the 10- vial batch required for the Moderna vaccines. “We can keep it refrigerated for up to six hours once it has been opened,” she explained, “and it’s easier to find five people [to get the vaccine] than 10. That makes it easier for someone to go into clinic and say, ‘I want my shot today.’ Then, you only have to find four other people.”

A side note for those interested in donating much-needed blood at next Thursday’s Coffee Memorial Blood Drive here in Canadian: No deferral time is required after receiving any of the three approved vaccines—Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson—as long as you are feeling well, Francis said.

“After getting the vaccine,” she noted, “you cannot donate convalescent plasma to those who have COVID.” To do so, she said, you have to have had COVID yourself, or have the antibodies.