Feb. 9 COVID-19 Update: 14 Additional Cases, 9 Recoveries, 19 Vaccine Doses Administered
Texas Department of State Health Services’ Feb. 9 COVID-19 dashboards showed a total of 14 additional COVID-19 cases, nine COVID-19 recoveries and 19 additional doses of the vaccine administered. COVID-19 hospitalizations were up slightly in Trauma Service Area F.
Case Counts
A total of 14 additional COVID-19 cases were reported for Hopkins County, but not all were new cases. Five were older cases that labs have just reported to DSHS.
Nine Hopkins County residents received positive lab-confirmed molecular (viral) COVID-19 test results on Tuesday, and three older cases that have just been reported to DSHS were also added to the cumulative total. That makes 15 confirmed cases recorded for the first time this week and 71 this month. Since March, 1,440 Hopkins County residents have been confirmed to have COVID-19.
Two additional probable COVID-19 cases were also assigned to Hopkins County on Tuesday, both were older probable cases reported by labs. That’s a dozen probable cases documented this week and 71 so far this month. Since the state began tracking probable COVID-19 cases, Hopkins County has had 1,332 cases, according to the DSHS Feb. 9 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
Nine Hopkins County residents also were reported Feb. 9 to have recovered from COVID-19. So far this week, 18 recoveries have been reported, and 59 this month. That makes 2,475 recoveries from the 2,772 cumulative COVID cases.
That increases the active COVID-19 case count in Hopkins County to 199. In fact, the active case county has continued to rise all month, jumping from 130 active cases on Jan. 31 to 146 cases on Feb. 1, and 130 190 on Saturday, but only by nine this week, rising from 190 on Sunday to 194 Monday and 199 on Tuesday.
Hospital Reports
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials, in the Feb. 9 COVID-19 update, reported 14 patients in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, the same as on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8. That’s the most COVID-19 patients in the COVID unit so far this month: there were 12 COVID patients on Feb. 2 and 4, and 10 on Feb. 5.
Tuesday’s COVID count still only about half as many COVID-19 patients in CMFH-SS as there were during the first full work week in January: the low was 29 on Jan. 4 and the high was 32 on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8; the second full work week in January started with 22 patients on Jan. 11 and 12, and ended with 29 COVID-19 patients on Jan. 15. Similarly, the first week of December, the patient census at CMFH-SS ranged from 21 patients on Dec. 2 to 23 patients on Dec. 1 and the same range for the week of Dec. 7.
Before this month, the last time the COVID patient count at the Sulphur Springs hospital was 14 was Nov. 9. The last time it was below 14 before February was 13 on Nov. 4, 11 on Oct. 27 and 29, and 10 on Oct. 26. The last time less than 10 patients were in the COVID Unit at CMFH-SS was Oct. 22-23, when eight patients had COVID-19.
On Feb. 8, there were 121 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area F, three more than on Sunday, Feb. 7, but still two less than Saturday, 10 less than Friday, 16 less than Thursday, 13 less than last Monday and Tuesday, and 22 less than on Feb. 1. Across the state, there continued to be for the second consecutive day 9,401 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Feb. 8 was the first day this month that the COVID-19 patient count hasn’t dropped. There were 11,002 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the state on Feb. 1, then 10,827 on Feb. 2 and 9,957 on Feb. 5.
COVID-19 patients made up 11.02 percent of the total hospital capacity in Trauma Service Area F on Feb. 8, up from 11.01 percent on Feb. 6 and 10.95 percent on Feb. 7, according to the DSHS Feb. 9 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard and the Feb. 9 Combined Hospital Data over Time by Trauma Service Area report.
COVID-19 Testing
HC/SSEM’s Feb. 9 COVID-19 update showed a total of 9,454 COVID-19 tests have been conducted at 128-A Jefferson Street since Red Cross building was first opened as a free testing center in the fall, including 52 tests performed on Monday and at least 472 molecular tests performed so far this month.
Since March, 17,744 viral or molecular COVID-19 tests have been performed in Hopkins County, including the 9,454 performed at the free testing center.
Nine antigen COVID-19 tests were conducted on Monday, increasing the total number of antigen tests conducted in Hopkins County since DSHS began tracking the data to 2,015. One antibody COVID-19 test was also conducted in Hopkins County on Monday, increasing the total since the state began tracking the data to 1,790 antibody tests performed in Hopkins County.
Cumulatively, that’s 18,549 COVID-19 tests conducted in Hopkins County and reported to DSHS, according to the DSHS Feb. 9 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
Free oral swab COVID-19 testing has been extended through the month of February in Sulphur Springs. Testing is typically offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express) building in Sulphur Springs.
Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. However, registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
COVID-19 Vaccines
A total of 2,364 people have received COVID-19 vaccines in Hopkins County. Seven additional people had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, increasing the overall total as of 11:59 p.m. Feb. 8 to 1,932. A dozen more people received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, increasing the total so far to 423 as of Feb. 8.
According to the DSHS Vaccine Data dashboard, which fluctuates daily, 80 in Hopkins County received the first dose of the vaccine during the first week of vaccine allocations and distributions by the state, 63 on week 2, 161 on week 3, 738 on week 4, 218 on week 5, 702 on week 6, 190 on week 7, 201 on week 8 and 11 so far this week. Only second doses of the vaccine were allocated to Hopkins County in weeks 7 and 8.
Only 200 first-doses of the vaccine have been allocated to Hopkins County this week, 100 each to Brookshire’s and Walgreens Pharmacies. To see if you are eligible to have the COVID-19 vaccine at a Walgreens location, visit walgreens.com/schedulevaccine. For information about Brookshire’s vaccine waiting list, visit https://www.brookshires.com/covid-19-information. The full list of vaccine allocations for the week of Feb. 8, vaccination hub providers with contact information, the DSHS/Texas Department of Emergency Management map of vaccine providers, and the Texas Vaccine Data dashboard can all be accessed by clicking the links. More information on the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
A toll free phone number has been established through Ark-Tex Council of Governments, so that individuals who reside in the ATCOG area who meet 1B criteria but don’t have a computer or internet access, or who aren’t skilled with them, can call 1-800-372-4464, Someone in the ATCOG office help them set up an appointment if one is available in their area or to get on a waiting list for COVID-19 vaccines in their area. That call is toll free, and residents will need to provide some information so the ATCOG help can complete the process for them.
Slaton Urging DSHS To Fast-Track CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs As Vaccine Hub, Increase Allocations To HD2
Representative Bryan Slaton is urging Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to fast-track CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs as a COVID-19 vaccine hub and to increase allocations of the vaccine to House District 2.
“As you know, the vaccine allocation process has been frustrating for everyone, especially rural Texans. Representative Slaton and his staff have been in active contact with DSHS as well as providers in Hopkins County and all of HD2 to try and increase available vaccine doses, as well as ensure that providers, potential providers and potential hubs have all the necessary information and support that they need,” Andrew J. McVeigh V, Chief of Staff for Representative Slaton, stated.
Slaton, in the letter sent Feb. 9 to DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt, pointed out that 17.5 percent of the residents of House District 2 are over the age of 65, compared to the 12 percent state average. There is no designated vaccine hub in District 2, but CMFH-SS is centrally located to serve multiple counties within 1 hour of the hospital.
The facility has not only asked to0 be designated a hub, but weekly has asked for 1,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine weekly, but has not received that. In fact, Hopkins County’s allocation has declined from 700 total vaccines in Week 6 to 200 in Week 9, and no vaccines in either week 7 or 8, Slaton noted in the letter to Hellerstedt. Slaton is strongly urging DSHS to make rural East Texas a priority by making more vaccines available and fast-tracking CMFH-SS a hub to serve these rural communities.
Wildcats Golf Team Competes In First Tournament Of The Year At Rockwall
The Wildcats Golf Team finished tenth out of fifteen teams at a two-day regional preview tournament last Friday and Saturday, February 5-6, at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club.
Kip Childress led the Wildcats shooting 76 and 78 for a two day total of 154. That was good for 11th place. Caleb Kesting had 94 and 87 for a total of 181. Rylan Brewer shot 91 and 91 for a total of 182. Grant Mohesky shot 98 and 90 for 188. Luke Dietze shot 106 and 101 for a 207 total.
The Wildcats play next at a Burleson Centennial sponsored tournament at Squaw Valley Links Course in Glen Rose on February 26-27.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer On Chilly Game Day Tuesday
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Teams are taking on Marshall in district matches on this game day Tuesday, February 9.
The Wildcats will meet Marshall at Gerald Prim Stadium. There is a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity match to follow at 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats are 1-2 in district play after a win on Friday at Texas High, 3-2. The Wildcats’ season record is 10-6-1. KSST Radio will bring you the Wildcats and Mavericks live at The Prim. The broadcast will feature streaming video and audio. The game will be posted to YouTube after it’s over and the match will be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Lady Cats will be heading to Marshall for their fourth district match. Lady Cats Coach Javier Aguayo announced Tuesday that Marshall does not currently have a JV team so there will be no JV game tonight. The two teams will meet in a varsity only game at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Cats have an outright win, a shootout win and an outright loss in district play. The Lady Cats edged by Texas High, 1-0, at the Prim on Friday night. The Lady Cats’ season record is 7-5-4. The Lady Cats and Lady Mavs game will be broadcast tonight at 5:30 p.m. on KSST’s sister station, KRVA-FM, 107.1, with Ross Labenske doing the play by play.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
County Commissioners Agree To Advance Refund Two Bonds To Save $879,000
Hopkins County Commissioners Court authorized issuance of general obligation refunding bonds to take advantage of lower interest rates to advance refund the two bonds taken out to build the new jail facility, provided rates continue to be favorable for doing so.
“It’s an opportunity to save a whole lot of money for Hopkins County,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said.
Robert Henderson, managing director with RBC Capital Markets who serves as the county’s financial advisor, said the voters approved bonds to finance the jail. They were sold in two series in order to sell them at lower interest rates given provisions of the Tax Reform Act which allowed it to be designated as a base qualified debt. by breaking it into two transactions, the amount was below $10 million. Bonds were sold in 2013 and 2014 at a lower interest rate, which allowed the court to set the tax rate 1 cent less than they had anticipated.
Interest rates have dropped dramatically in the last 18 months, and are astoundingly low right now, Henderson told Hopkins County Commissioners Court during their regular meeting Monday morning, Feb. 8. Refinancing the 2013 and 2014 bonds at even lower interest rates will improve the tax rate even further, the financial advisor reported. The average bond sold in 2013 and 2014 was about 4.07 percent.
“The average interest rate on those bond was 4.07 percent. We believe based on current market rates that we can refinance that debt at 2.05 percent and, in so doing, save the county’s taxpayers about $879,000, a little bit more than $875,000 over the life of the issuance of these bonds,” Henderson said.
A tax rate can only be levied for debt sufficient to meet those debt service payments. So by refinancing the debt, the tax payers will see a reduction in the I&S (interest and sinking or debt service) tax rate, Henderson said.
“There’s going to be a slight little twist on this refinancing. The Tax Reform Act of 2017 eliminated the ability to issue tax exempt bond on an advance refunding basis,” Henderson. “When those bond were sold, there was a par call date, the date you can take and pay your bonds off early without having a penalty associated with that. Advanced refunding is refinancing that debt before we get to that call date. Which means that what we’re doing, instead of taking that debt like you would a home mortgage, refinancing it and paying off the old debt immediately, because we cannot pay off the old debt immediately, we’re going to take the proceeds of this debt and put it into an irrevocable trust, an escrow account, and it will stay in that escrow account until we reach those call dates. And, then, when we get to those call dates, the escrow account will collapse and pay off the old bonds.”
The call date for the two bonds, according to information Henderson provided during the Commissioners Court meeting is Oct. 15, 2023.
Fees such as escrow, legal feels, fiscal fees and Attorney General’s Office rating fees which are associated with refinancing a bond are built into the amount cited, so the $879,000 is net of all the cost. The present value savings, Henderson said, is 7.92 percent; saving 4 percent present value savings is considered economically feasible. The projected savings amount is nearly twice that amount, Henderson pointed out.
There would be a 9-year “hard call” by which the county would have to wait if they chose to pay the remaining debt off early, that would be 2030 if the advance refunding occurs. If desired before then, the county could potentially establish another escrow account for advance refunding, but Henderson said that would likely be unadvisable due to the very low interest current interest rates of 2.05 percent, which would allow the county to have a lower tax rate.
“When we fund that escrow fund, that legally comes off the books of the county. So once we do that, even though those bonds are outstanding, because they are paid from that trust account he described, they come off the books. Its no longer a debt of the county,” Jeff Gulbas, the county’s bond legal advisor noted.
The Commissioners Court agreed to a parameter sale, authorizing the advisors to notify the county judge when when the market appears to be at the best place to take advantage of the lower rates. The bonds would not have to be sold on or immediately following the date of the court meeting. Newsom will be required to sign all documents when the advisors indicate a favorable market for the advance refunding, before the issuance of the bond.
ATCOG Hotline Designated To Help Elderly 1B Residents Who Don’t Have Computers, Internet Schedule Appointment, Get On COVID-19 Vaccine Waiting List
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials report they have been working with state officials almost daily but have had no success finding out why Hopkins County providers have not received more first-doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but report a hotline has been designated to help 1B residents who don’t have computers and internet access get on a COVID-19 vaccine waiting list or help schedule appointments when vaccines are available.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley noted that while the local emergency management officials have nothing to do with COVID-19 vaccinations, including how much is allocated to which providers or how it is distributed, they have been in contact with both Senator Bob Hall’s Office and Rep. Bryan Slaton’s office, as well as other state contacts, trying to find out why more first-doses of the vaccine haven’t come to Hopkins County and asking for help to make that happen. Distribution of the vaccine is handled through the joint efforts of Texas Department of Emergency Management and Texas Department of State Health Services.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said local emergency officials were promised from the start that the COVID-19 vaccine would be allocated across the state per capita, and has not heard anything different than that. He finds it concerning that Brookshire’s and Walgreens Pharmacies were each allocated 100 doses of the vaccine this week, but the hospital has not been allocated any additional first-doses of the vaccine in three weeks.
“I’m very concerned they are not living up to what they told us,” Newsom said, and pondered whether the increase of large hubs and doses to those hubs has reduced the number of vaccines coming to Hopkins County. “There is not a hub close to our area where elderly can drive to easily.”
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital CEO Paul Harvey said the hospital and clinic weren’t allocated any first-doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to reach the many 1B residents who have indicated they still haven’t been able to get the shot last week or this week, and isn’t expected to receive any next week either.
“We put in for at least 1,000 doses a week. We haven’t seen anything come back. It’s very frustrating,” Harvey said.
CMFH-SS has been able, through the CHRISTUS Health System, to obtain a few additional vaccines to help vaccinate more people here, but not huge numbers. He said every dose that comes into Hopkins County is used. For instance, if they were to receive a few additional doses of the vaccine designated to first responders in 1A in the four-county service area the hospital serves, but not all were able to make the trip into Sulphur Springs to get the shot within the time frame they must be distributed. Those doses would be given to someone else. The same would apply if someone was not able to make their scheduled appointment to receive the second-dose of the COVID1-9 vaccine or opted not to have the second dose. That dose could go to someone who has yet to receive a first dose of the vaccine. No doses are kept in storage or held back. All doses are distributed to make sure none go to waste, Harvey noted.
The hospital put in to be a rural hub provider but so far, has not been given the designation, Harvey and Newsom noted.
Newsom said he’s talked to Bryan Slaton’s office and has been assured the first-year representative’s office is doing everything they can possibly do to ensure Hopkins County receives a fair share of the COVID-19 vaccine to better protect individuals at high risk from the virus.
Harvey and Endsley have been in contact with various state representatives as well to try to speed up the process of vaccines being allocated to Hopkins County. Senator Bob Hall’s office was instrumental in the hospital getting its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. CMFH-SS has been allocated 400 doses of the vaccine initially, but were bumped from the list without any explanation within 48-hours. Endsley noted John Vick, district director for Hall, worked on his day off, reaching out to his contacts to help the hospital attain the 400 doses originally allocated to the facility.
The hospital executive reported CHRISTUS had worked with Carriage House Manor to see that all residents and associates had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as of last Thursday. Harvey said while local officials reached out to the other facilities, they opted not to work through CHRISTUS to obtain vaccinations, so he can’t attest for the vaccine status for those nursing facilities.
Harvey said while CMFH-SS has not seen a decline in overall patient counts, there has been a decline in COVID-19 patients over the last 2 weeks.
Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Ricketson said Hopkins County isn’t the only area that is having trouble getting doses of the vaccine and hitting a brick wall as to why. He said from listening in on the regular Zoom meetings for local city and county officials, it’s clear “we are not the only place.” The frustration is experienced at locations state-wide especially in more rural areas.
Some other areas, Lamar County and Texarkana, have been designated as hubs, but those areas, officials noted have a state health department and higher populations. Hopkins County does not have a local health department, but a doctor and nurse designates as a Local Health Authority to serve in lieu of the state department for officials reporting purposes.
Officials have also expressed concern for those older residents who do not have access to a computer or internet to register online for appointments when vaccines become available or to get on pharmacies’ waiting lists.
After hearing this from multiple sources across the region, a toll free phone number has been established through Ark-Tex Council of Governments. The residents in the ATCOG area who meet 1B criteria who don’t have a computer or internet access, or who aren’t skilled with them, will be able to call 1-800-372-4464 to have someone in the ATCOG office help them set up an appointment if one is available in their area or to get on a waiting list for COVID-19 vaccines in their area. That number and call is toll free, and residents will need to provide some information so the ATCOG help can complete the process for them.
Make Plans to Attend “Gala Unmasked: A Virtual Event” of the H C Healthcare Foundation
The annual fundraising Gala is an important and exciting wintertime feature in Hopkins County. Shannon Barker, Executive Director of the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, along with the Foundation Board of Directors, will be hosting a fun and entertaining ‘virtual Gala’ adapted to the challenges of COVID-19 and necessary social distancing, while raising dollars and awareness for our hospital and honoring the real heroes of the pandemic, our physicians and nurses.
In a modified style, the Gala Unmasked virtual event is set for Saturday,February 20, 2021 with entertainment, silent auction and other fun features to be viewed and enjoyed at home. The purpose of the Gala, as always, is to raise funds for needed additions to the hospital, and this year is no different. Because the Gala will not be attended in person, the Foundation Board asks that you support the hospital just as you have done in the past. Or, consider donating money you would have spent on a dress, tux, on hair and nails or on a babysitter for the evening. You can give a gift to the Foundation this year as you participate virtually on YouTube or on the HCHF Facebook page., as well as by bidding on silent auction items on your phone.
In a future story here, you’ll find out about the 11 Silent Auction items which include a new vehicle plus fishing, hunting and golf trips, and you’ll find out about needed equipment selected for purchase. These items will better equip mothers and babies in the Labor and Delivery department and will assist stroke and other patients in need of CT Scan, as our hospital continues to offer exceptional care to this community.
Teen Arrested For Stealing His Grandparents’ Van
A Sulphur Springs teen was arrested Monday morning, Feb. 8, for stealing his grandparents’ van, police alleged in arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police received a report shortly before 7 a.m. Feb. 8 regarding a stolen van. Officer Sean Hoffman, while on patrol, was looking for the missing Chevrolet uplander. He reported seeing the white van at 7:34 a.m. making a quick turn from Bill Bradford Road onto Gilmer Street. Hoffman initiated a traffic stop; the van stopped in the 700 block of Gilmer Street.
Upon contact, the driver was instructed to exit the vehicle and placed into handcuffs. The driver, identified as 17-year-old Javier Isaiah Crutchfield of Sulphur Springs, reportedly told police he wanted to go see his girlfriend but his grandparents wouldn’t allow it. He admitted to taking his grandparents vehicle while they were asleep, without their permission.
Crutchfield was booked Monday morning into Hopkins County jail, where he remained Tuesday morning, Feb. 9 on the unauthorized use of a vehicle charge. Bond was set at $5,000 on the felony charge for stealing his grandparents’ van.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Feb. 8 COVID-19 Update: 13 New Cases, 9 Recoveries, 81 Vaccine Doses Administered
While no new COVID-19 cases nor recoveries were reported in Hopkins County on Sunday, 13 new cases and nine recoveries were reported on Monday, according to Texas Department of State Health Services Feb. 8 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard. Another 81 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were also administered and COVID-19 hospitalizations remained low over the weekend.
COVID-19 Case Counts
Three Hopkins County residents Monday received lab-confirmed, positive molecular COVID-19 test results, increasing the total so far this month to 59 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and the cumulative total since the pandemic began last March to 1,428.
Ten probable COVID-19 cases were reported Monday, increasing the total so far this month to 69 Hopkins County residents who have either received a positive antigen test result or wh have a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis. Cumulatively, 1,330 probable COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County, according to the Feb. 6 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
Nine additional Hopkins County residents tested positive for COVID-19. That makes 50 residents who have recovered from COVID-19 this month. Cumulatively, 2,466 of the 2758 Hopkins County residents who’ve had COVID-19 are reported to have recovered from the virus.
That left 194 Hopkins County residents reported to still actively have COVID-19 Monday afternoon.
Hospital Reports
COVID-19 hospitalizations remained relatively low in Hopkins County and continued to decrease across Trauma Service Area F and the state.
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management, in the Feb. 8 COVID-19 update, reported the patient count in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs was 14 on Feb. 8, the same as Monday, Feb. 1, but four more than on Friday.
COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped form 131 Friday to 123 Saturday and 118 on Sunday in TSA-F, according to the DSHS Feb. 8 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard. The last time the COVID-19 hospitalizations across TSA-F was that low was in October and November; 115 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in TSA-F hospitals on Nov. 8, 119 on Oct. 31 and 110 on Oct. 30, according to the Feb. 8 Combined Hospital Data over Time by Trauma Service Area report.
COVID-19 patients made up on 10.95 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F on Sunday, down from 12 percent on Friday and 11.1 percent on Saturday. COVID-19 cases have continued to represent less TSA-F hospital capacity daily since Jan. 31.
COVID-19 Testing
HC/SSEM reported 9,402 COVID-19 tests had been performed at 128-A Jefferson Street since the Red Cross building was converted to a free testing center in the fall. That means a total of 134 additional tests were performed at the site Friday and Saturday.
Cumulatively, 14,734 molecular COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hopkins County since the pandemic began.
On Saturday and Sunday, 56 antigen tests and five antibody rers were performed in Hopkins County on Saturday and Sunday, increasing the total since DSHS began tracking the data to 2,006 antigen tests and 1,789 antibody test performed in Hopkins County.
Cumulatively, that’s at least 18,529 COVID-19 tests conducted in Hopkins County since the pandemic began and DSHS began requiring reports for testing.
Free oral swab COVID-19 testing has been extended through the month of February in Sulphur Springs. Testing is typically offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express) building in Sulphur Springs.
Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. However, registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
COVID-19 Vaccine
At least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 2,345 people in Hopkins County. On Saturday and Sunday, 19 additional people received the first dose of the vaccine and 62 received the second dose of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
Two providers in Hopkins County are listed among the 358 across the state allocated to receive some of the 401,750 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine the federal government is due to send to the state for distribution the week of Feb. 8. Brookshire’s and Walgreens pharmacies have each been allocated 100 doses from the first-dose supplies of Moderna vaccine the state is slated to receive during Week 9 of vaccine distribution.
To see if you are eligible to have the COVID-19 vaccine at a Walgreens location, visit walgreens.com/schedulevaccine. For information about Brookshire’s vaccine waiting list, visit https://www.brookshires.com/covid-19-information. The full list of vaccine allocations for the week of Feb. 8, vaccination hub providers with contact information, the DSHS/Texas Department of Emergency Management map of vaccine providers, and the Texas Vaccine Data dashboard can all be accessed by clicking the links. More information on the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Ekes Out A Win In A Warm Up Game at Caddo Mills, 50-49, In OT
The Lady Cats Basketball Team has not had a game for 10 days so they knocked off some rust in a playoff warm up game at Caddo Mills Monday night, February 8. The Lady Cats squeezed by the Lady Foxes, 50-4, in overtime.
The game was not decided until the Lady Cats made a steal in the game’s final few seconds. Addisyn Wall appears to be ready for the playoffs as she led the Lady Cats with 18 points on six made 3-point baskets. Wall’s three at the buzzer in regulation tied the game, 43-43 and sent it into overtime. Wall also hit a three in overtime to give the Lady Cats an early boost in the extra time. Kenzie Willis had 12 points that included two baskets in overtime. Nylah Lindley added 8 points, Bre’Asia Ivery had 6 points, Dalanee Myles scored 4 points and Addy Lamb scored 2 points.
The Lady Cats started nicely and led 14-8 after the first quarter. By halftime, the Lady Cats lead shrunk to 1 point as they led 24-23. Both teams managed just 9 third quarter points and the Lady Cats continued to be up by one, 33-32. The Lady Foxes surged ahead in the fourth quarter and at one point had an 8 point lead.
The win improves the Lady Cats season record to 16-7. The stakes go up quite a bit for the Lady Cats in their next game as they open the playoffs with a bi-district game with the Nacogdoches Lady Dragons Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Athens.
