CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District is warning residents of an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the area.
There were 179 new cases of COVID-19 in Nueces County last week, which is more than double previous weeks' numbers.
Eight people were hospitalized with the virus last week and three of those were in the ICU, data shows.
"The rise in cases in Nueces County is consistent with the increase in hospital admissions, positive test rates, and emergency room visits seen nationally," a statement from the public health district said.
Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District epidemiologist Denzel Otokunrin said the cases are in line with what health officials expected this summer.
"The numbers we've been seeing over the past week is like 194 cases of COVID 19. Compared to our usual rate you're usually seeing like about 100, maybe 80 to 90 cases a week," he said.
Driscoll Children's Hospital Director of Infectious Diseases said it's not just here but nationwide.
"We are seeing also an increasing number of positive tests in our children week over week. We're seeing a very important increase," he said. "So we know that there's more virus circulating. There's no question about that. But what I'm really paying attention to for my patients here is no increase in hospitalizations so far."
Fergie said there is an updated vaccine and it should be available in the next month or so. He said anyone at risk should get the new shot.
Both Otokunrin and Fergie said the number is not enough to be overly concerned about and they expect the spike to be less severe than past spikes. Fergie wants to remind residents of the good practices learned during the pandemic.
"I see it as very difficult to ask everybody again to wear masks. And that is going to be impossible to go in that direction but people who are sick, people who are coughing, sneezing. They should wear a mask," he said.
They recommend the following to help curb the spread:
- Avoid large congregate settings
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
- Stay home if you are feeling sick
- Use the COVID-19 at-home test and report your results to the Health District
- Stay up to date on vaccine coverage
Free COVID-19 testing kits are available at the health district, 1702 Horne Road, during regular working hours on weekdays.
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