Hidalgo County reported four additional COVID-19 related deaths and 729 new cases Monday morning.
The deaths include a man in his 50s from Mercedes, a woman older than 70 from Mission, a man in his 50s from Pharr and a woman older than 70 from an undisclosed location.
The COVID-19 death toll in Hidalgo County now stands at 2,034.
The new cases raise that total to 40,814. There are currently 184 people in county hospitals with the virus, of which 70 are in intensive care units.
The county also announced that 1,157 people were released from isolation, raising that total to 36,879. There were 1,901 net active cases as of Monday morning.
The county has administered a total of 233,772 COVID-19 tests, and 192,328 of those tests have been negative.
One of the individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 was Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. Eddie Guerra, who on Monday released a statement on Facebook updating the public on his health. In the statement, Guerra revealed that he was hospitalized but is doing better.
“Family, friends, and supporters: Late last week, out of an abundance of caution, I was hospitalized due to COVID-19. I am feeling much better as I undergo treatment and therapeutics for the virus, thanks to the very capable and healing hands of the doctors and healthcare providers at DHR,” his statement read.
“Thanks to the frontline workers who are our real heroes. I appreciate everyone’s support and prayers as I continue to recover from this illness,” Guerra added before reminding of the dangers of COVID-19. “Folks, this is VERY real and nothing to be taken lightly. Your best protection is to take every recommended measure to avoid contracting this disease. Wear a mask, maintain social distance, wash your hands, clean and sanitize, and stay home.”
Guerra also continued to urge residents to not gather during the holidays, joining the pleas of county officials who’ve long warned that a surge in cases was inevitable if people gathered in abundance during the fall.
“As we enter into the Thanksgiving holiday, please follow recommended CDC guidelines and do not gather,” he said on Facebook. “We must do everything we can to keep our families and loved ones safe. I’m still resting and recovering, feeling better every day, and I can’t wait to be released to go home and eat my wife’s home cooking — hospital food is not the same! Thanks again for all your love and support. Be safe and God bless.”
ELSEWHERE IN THE VALLEY
Cameron County confirmed 194 additional COVID-19 cases and two COVID-19 related deaths on Monday.
Both deaths were men in their 70s from Brownsville, and raise the county’s COVID-19 death toll to 1,112.
Brownsville continues to be a hotspot for COVID-19, accounting for more than half of the new confirmed cases with 107 new cases there. Harlingen had 41 new cases, followed by San Benito with 16 and Los Fresnos with 10.
The new cases raise the county’s total number of confirmed cases to 25,701. The county also reported that an additional 119 people have recovered from the virus, raising that total to 23,064.
Willacy County confirmed two additional COVID-19 cases on Sunday, a girl in her teens and a woman in her 60s, and 10 additional COVID-19 cases on Monday.
Monday’s new cases include two girls and three boys in their teens, a man in his 40s, two women in their 50s, and a woman and a man in their 70s.
The new cases raise the total to 1,308.
Starr County reported eight new cases of coronavirus on Sunday.
There are 353 active cases, and 3,735 people have recovered from the virus. There have been 188 COVID-19 related deaths in Starr County.
