Montgomery County COVID-19 Update for December 29,2021

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- MCPHD would like to continue to encourage eligible residents to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Every new emerging variant emphasizes the need for vaccinations and booster shots for eligible populations. Need to find a vaccine or a vaccine booster shot? Click here for vaccine sites: https://www.vaccines.gov/.

This week, the CDC altered its guidance for asymptomatic positive cases of COVID-19 or for those whose symptoms have resolved quickly. Please read the guidance in its entirety here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html

MCPHD reports weekly on Tuesdays (today’s report is delayed due to the holiday), but DSHS updates daily at this link: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/45e18cba105c478697c76acbbf86a6bc.

Since our last report on 12/21/2021:

• TOTAL cases of COVID-19 increased by 2,918 to 94,783. *Total cases include confirmed (PCR testing) and probable (antigen testing) cases.

• ACTIVE cases of COVID-19 increased by 2,212 to 4,456 (estimated per DSHS definitions).

• Deaths of Montgomery County residents have increased by 2 to 1,133 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, according to data from DSHS.

• Recoveries from COVID-19 have increased by 704 to 89,194 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 (estimated per DSHS definitions).

• 122 confirmed cases of COVID-19 are currently hospitalized in Montgomery County. SETRAC data for regional hospitalizations can be found here: https://bit.ly/3jwhdiV.

The Testing Positivity Rate for Montgomery County has increased to 19%, up from 6% last week.

Source: UT Health, School of Public Health

The COVID-19 dashboard for Montgomery County can be found here: https://coronavirus-response-moco.hub.arcgis.com/.

Do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and those around you is to be vaccinated. You should also:

·Get tested if you feel sick.

·Avoid groups of people.

·Practice social distancing.

·Wear a mask in public (over your nose and mouth) or with others who live outside your household. Never share a mask with others.

·Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.

·Disinfect surfaces in your car and around your home.