Hidalgo County announced 22 additional COVID-19-related deaths Thursday, while another 1,248 people tested positive for the virus.
The 22 deaths bring the total number of deaths to 240 in the county. New cases bring the total number of positive cases to 10,492.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of 22 people from our community. My prayers and condolences go out to the families and friends of these people, ”said Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez in a press release. “For those who are currently fighting this disease and who are at home, I urge you to remain in quarantine so that you cannot infect a loved one or anyone else in our community.”
According to the statement, the increase in cases is due to massive federal tests conducted at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg last week. Health officials said they expect large amounts of positive results due to the large body of evidence from the test site.
The county also announced that there are currently 968 people hospitalized with COVID-19 complications, of whom 249 are in intensive care units.
A total of 236 people were released from isolation on Thursday, which means they have been symptom-free for 10 days. This includes three days without fever. There are 5,861 net active cases.
Cameron County also recorded 10 additional COVID-19 related deaths on Thursday, increasing its death toll to 89.
The deceased include eight women aged 63, 65, 82, 85, 85, 87, 92 and 93, as well as two men aged 90 and 92.
All individuals were residents of The Rio at Fox Hollow.
The county also confirmed 335 additional new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 5,240 in Cameron County.
There have been an additional 53 people who have recovered from the virus at Cameron, bringing the total number of people recovered to 2,723.
“Cameron County Public Health continues to work with all six nursing home facilities and a detention center to address the COVID-19 outbreaks,” a press release read. “To date, the Cameron County cases arising from the Port Isabel Service Processing Center have 12 employees and 77 detainees who tested positive.”
The six nursing homes include Alta Vista, Brownsville Nursing & Rehab, Ebony Lake, Harlingen Nursing & Rehab, Rio Fox Hollow and SCC in Valley Grande.
The news comes the same day that Willacy County announced 30 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 440.
The new cases include three 10-year-old individuals, two from adolescents, eight from 20 years, one from 30 years, five from 40 years, six from 50 years, three from 60 years, one from 70 years and another from 80 years.
“Our officials and staff continue to work closely with our neighboring counties and the state department of health services,” a county press release read. “The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will conduct case investigations of this, and all positive COVID-19 cases that arise and ensure that proper isolation and 14-day quarantine are strictly followed.
“Additionally, DSHS will ensure that family members are kept in isolation and quarantined as well, and will ensure that the family has the necessary supplies to be able to stay home and follow protocol.”
Anyone with questions about COVID-19 or information about testing can call the DSHS hotline at (956) 421-5505.
Dr. José Vázquez, Starr County Health Authority, announced 103 new cases of COVID-19 in the county on Wednesday.
On Thursday night, Vazquez confirmed 44 additional cases, totaling 1,362 in the county.
Before the 44 cases were announced Thursday, the county had last reported 386 people who recovered from the coronavirus and currently 927 people receiving medical care in the county.
Five people have died from COVID-19 in Starr County.
