Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending for fully vaccinated people to give up facial coverings and physical distancing, Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez says not so fast.
“The decision to require facial coverings in all Hidalgo County buildings was made by the Commissioners Court,” Cortez said in a prepared statement Thursday. “The CDC has been an invaluable resource for public safety throughout this pandemic and while I applaud this recommendation by the CDC, it will take a vote of the entire Hidalgo County Commissioners Court to change the current policy regarding facial coverings inside county buildings.”
In addition to the CDC’s news, Hidalgo County officials also reported 192 COVID-19 positive cases and four deaths related to the virus on Thursday.
The deaths included three Edinburg men — two in their 60s, the other 70 or older — and one Donna man in his 70s or older.
As of Thursday, the county’s COVID-19 fatality toll increased to 2,848.
Of the 192 new cases reported by the Health and Human Services Department, 88 were confirmed, 58 probable and 46 suspected.
The majority of positive cases reported Thursday were led by people 19 and under, with a total of 50 cases. Adults in their 30s were the next group with the most cases reported Thursday, with a total of 38 cases, while young adults in their 20s trailed behind with a total of 37 cases.
The total number of cases reported in Hidalgo County is 89,953. Of that total, 59,078 are confirmed, 29,064 are probable and 1,811 are suspected.
According to a release from the county, a total of 1,361 cases are active.
Officials also reported 109 people are hospitalized in county hospitals, with 40 patients in intensive care units.
Additionally, the county reported 176 individuals were released from isolation Thursday, increasing that total to 85,744.
As of Thursday, a total of 484,251 COVID-19 tests have been administered in Hidalgo County, with 393,515 results returning negative.
ELSEWHERE IN THE VALLEY
In Cameron County, officials reported a total of 15 positive COVID-19 cases Thursday and one death related to the virus, according to a news release.
The death reported Thursday was a Brownsville woman in the 80-89 age group, slightly increasing the county’s death toll to 1,641.
Of the 15 positive cases reported, Cameron County officials noted that eight cases were from facilities housing unaccompanied minors, such as shelters and detention centers.
Of the eight reported from the facilities, half were from individuals in the age group 10-19, with the remaining four cases coming from individuals in the age group 20-29. .
The remaining seven cases from Cameron County included a Harlingen boy in the age group 0-9, a La Feria woman in the age group 20-29, and Brownsville individuals in their 10s, 30s, 40s and 50s.
In total, the majority of cases reported in Cameron County were led by youth 19 or younger with a total of six, followed by young adults in their 20s with five cases.
The overall number of positive COVID-19 cases reported in the county now stands at 40,789.
Additionally, the county also reported 74 individuals recovered on Thursday, raising that total to 38,126.
In addition to providing their COVID-19 statistics, Cameron County officials also reported their vaccination progress, which shows improvement from last week.
As of Thursday, the county reported 50.97% of their 16 and older population are fully vaccinated, an increase of nearly 5% from last week’s 45.44%. Additionally, the county also reported 67.64% received at least one dose, a two percent increase from last week’s 65.52%.
Cameron County officials also reported 71.66% of their 65 and older population are fully vaccinated, with 83.11% receiving at least one dose.
Last week, officials reported the population of fully vaccinated individuals who are 65 and older was at 68.45%, while those who received at least one dose are 81.96%.
