The City of San Angelo and Tom Green County held a press conference this morning regarding the surge in positive cases in our community and record COVID-19 hospitalizations at Shannon Medical Center. Mayor Gunter continued her encouragement to citizens to act responsibly to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. County Judge Steve Floyd announced a new program where off duty officers would visit business establishments to check compliance with CDC guidelines. Officers would encourage owners and customers to fulfill their commitment to reduce the spread via social distancing, use of hand sanitizers and wearing of masks.
Shannon Medical Director Dr. Chris Barnett said 67 patients are currently hospitalized for COVID-19. Once enough patients are hospitalized for COVID-19 in our Trauma Service region Judge Floyd loses his ability to approve events and state requirements for restaurant and bar occupancy will go into effect. San Angelo Live's Joe Hyde tried unsuccessfully to get a local official to give him that number. Judge Floyd gave him the equation and suggested Hyde do the math. That number is 84 COVID-19 patients in our trauma service region.
SAISD Chief Carl Dethloff referred to a Halloween surge in cases. For the last two months I noted increased gatherings in our neighborhood. I would see 15-20 cars at a house during Dallas Cowboy football games. An extended family gathered to celebrate a loved ones birthday. SAPD officers were called to a nearby Halloween evening party. As I drove by each event I pondered the impact on those attending and our greater community.
Detloff provided data on SAISD contact tracing, saying 98% of cases arose from outside the SAISD family.
For months I've expected the City's public health department to provide citizens information on local compliance with CDC guidelines and any patterns revealed from contact tracing. That has not happened.
The City is responsible for public health emergency planning. It has been rare for Health Services Director Sandra Villareal to speak publicly on the city's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Yes, daily data is provided on the number of new positive tests, hospitalization and deaths. They've all hit records, which prompted today's press conference.
At the end of the meeting one gentleman asked about enforcement and fines, while another sounded off about masks being tyranny. It was a flat ending to a press conference intended to ring alarm bells.
Oddly, City Council budgeted less money for Health Services and public health emergency preparedness in the midst of a pandemic. Something's not adding up.
Update 11-15-20: Hospitalizations rose to 78 today, an increase of 15 from yesterday and 11 above the concerning number shared in the Friday press conference.
Update 11-16-20: Shannon has 83 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Three patients have died each of the last three days for a total of nine deaths in that period. Deaths stand at 111 since the pandemic began. Judge Floyd is yet to issue a statement.
Update 11-18-20: The City reported 21 deaths from COVID-19 in the last ten days. That's an average of over 2 deaths per day. The city issued a press release on hospitalizations exceeding the 15%.
Update 11-23-20: The City reported a record 90 patients are currently hospitalized for COVID-19
No comments:
Post a Comment