Lower COVID case counts may indicate that the omicron variant has reached its peak in Hemphill County, and is now on the decline, Hemphill County Hospital officials say, but they admit there are other factors that could be involved.

The HCH lab has seen a marked drop in testing, and has confirmed only 26 new cases in county residents, and 29 out-of-county since last Thursday, Jan. 27. Last week, they reported 65 new COVID-positives in Hemphill County residents alone, and 55 out-of-county.

Canadian ISD is reporting similar declines in positive tests. Districtwide, there have been only eight new confirmed positives since last Thursday. School officials reported on Tuesday that there were 18 active cases districtwide—a dramatic improvement from 47 active cases reported last week.

It is too soon to conclude that we are out of the woods, though, according to Hemphill County Hospital CEO Christy Francis. The hospital’s 14-day COVID-19 test report, released late Tuesday evening, documented six new inpatient admissions into their COVID wing in 10 days, from Jan. 22-31. Two of those inpatients were transferred to a higher level of care.

“We are hesitant to say whether omicron has peaked in our area at this time,” Francis said. “Hemphill County’s testing positivity rate remains extremely high, but we have noticed that fewer tests are being performed so far this week. Whether this is due to home testing, which is now readily available, or because some people just aren’t that sick so they don’t consider testing, we don’t know.”

“In the meantime,” Francis said, “we urge everyone to continue to be cautious, wear your masks, and let’s see how the next few weeks go.”

“More importantly,” she concluded, “please protect others at high risk of becoming severely ill, hospitalized, or dying. Stay home if you are feeling sick, or if you have been exposed to others who have tested positive.”