Dec. 30 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 8 New Cases, 30 In COVID Unit
Texas Department of State Health Services and Hopkins/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management’s Dec. 30 COVID-19 updates showed 8 new COVID-19 cases, 11 recoveries, 1 fatality, 39 additional vaccines for Hopkins County on Wednesday. A patient count in the hospital COVID unit reached a new high, and while fewer COVID-19 patients were in Trauma Area F hospitals, the overall patient counts rose.
Dec. 30 COVID-19 Case Counts
DSHS; Dec. 30 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts dashboard showed a total 1,126 Hopkins County residents have received positive lab-confirmed molecular test results. That means three additional residents had confirmed cases of COVID-19 at 5:20 p.m. Dec. 30. That makes 42 new confirmed COVID-19 cases this week and 294 confirmed cases during the first 30 days of December.
DSHS also reported 1,115 probable cases of COVID-19 for Hopkins County, five more than was reported on Tuesday. That makes 16 new probable cases reported so far this week and 192 probable cases reported Dec. 11-30. (The state only began reporting probable cases daily on Dec. 11). The Dec. 30 COVID-19 County Trends report, however, shows 5 probable cases were removed from the overall probable case count on Dec. 29. A probable COVID-19 case is determined when a person either tests positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.
Eleven Hopkins County residents had also recovered from COVID-19 on Dec. 30, that makes 111 recoveries so far this week and 1,353 recoveries since Dec. 11. This number includes both confirmed and probable case recoveries as of Dec. 11, when 810 probable case recoveries that had not been previously been accounted for were added to the overall recovery total. That makes 543 new recoveries from Dec. 12-Dec. 30. Cumulatively, 2,047 Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID-19 since March, according to the DSHS Dec. 30 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
As of 5:20 p.m. Dec. 30, Hopkins County still had 125 active COVID-19 cases, three less than on Tuesday, but 24 more than on Monday.
COVID-19 Fatalities
DSHS also Dec. 30 reported 70 Hopkins County residents have died from COVID-19, which means one additional Hopkins County resident has been confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19. That makes 12 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for December.
The latest death was reported on the DSHS County Trends report occurred on Dec. 14, making the individual the second Hopkins County resident confirmed to have died of COVID-19 on Dec. 14. Two COVID-19 deaths were also reported on Dec. 3 and on Dec. 12, and one death each on Dec. 1, Dec. 2, Dec. 6, Dec. 7, Dec. 8 and Dec. 13.
At least 45 COVID-19 deaths were among residents of Sulphur Springs nursing facilities, according to the Health and Human Services’ Dec. 30 COVID-19 report.
In the 8-counties surrounding Hopkins, only two counties, both with larger populations, have reported more COVID-19 deaths. Hunt County has had 84 fatalities and Lamar 91. Wood County, which also has a larger population than Hopkins County, has reported 65 fatalities. Also around the region, Titus has had 44 COVID-19 deaths, Red River County 25, Rains County 18, Franklin County 12 and Delta County 3.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
According to the DSHS Dec. 30 COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard 105 vaccinations have been issued for Hopkins County. That means 39 additional people received the first dose of the vaccine on Dec. 29. A total of 32 vaccines had been administered on Christmas Eve, the remaining 73 vaccines were administered for Hopkins County over the last 7 days.
Currently, only two locations in Sulphur Springs have been allocated vaccines, 100 to Brookshire’s Pharmacy and 200 to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, according to the DSHS reports.
COVID-19 Testing
HC/SSEM officials in the Dec. 30 COVID-19 update reported 6,874 COVID-19 tests have been performed from Sept. 25-Dec. 29 at the free testing center in Sulphur Springs. That means 115 additional tests were conducted at 128-A Jefferson Street on Dec. 29 for a total of 416 oral swab tests performed since Christmas and 2,343 tests from Dec. 1-29.
DSHS’ Dec. 30 COVId-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard showed a total of 13,596 COVID-19 tests had been conducted in Hopkins County as of Dec. 29, that’s 139 more tests reported on Dec. 29.
Cumulatively, 11,236 viral or molecular tests, 1,147 antigen and 1,213 antibody tests have been conducted in Hopkins County.
Free COVID-19 testing will continue form 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, in the Red Cross (Old Fidelity Express) building at 128-A Jefferson St The free center in Sulphur Springs will be closed New Year’s Day, then resume weekdays in January from 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. and Saturdays until 5 p.m. at 128-A Jefferson Street.
Online registration is required at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested. Testing is open to anyone regardless of address. Even children ages 3 and up can be tested, provided an adults registers and accompanies them to have the oral swab test performed. The Sulphur Springs free testing site is not a drive through location. Testing is conducted inside the building.
Individuals should refrain from eating, drinking or using tobacco products a minimum of 15-20 minutes before or testing will be delayed. Those testing will need to bring a photo ID and the number provided upon registration with them to the test location. Masks must be worn into the testing center. Testing typically takes about 5 minutes.
Hospital Reports
The patient count in the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs COVID Unit rose from 24 on Tuesday to 30 on Wednesday, the most the unit has been reported to hold thus far. The most patients reported in the unit previously was 28 on Dec. 23. The COVID unit is equipped to hold up to 35 patients.
While the patient at the Sulphur Springs hospital rose on Wednesday, the number of overall COVID-19 hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area F, which encompasses nearly all of Northeast Texas including Hopkins County, declined for the second day in a row, dropping from 178 on Dec. 28 to 170 Dec. 29 and 167 Dec. 30.
More hospital beds were staffed in TSA F, up 48 beds from 1,065. There were 649 total hospitalizations in TSA F on Wednesday, 47 more than on Tuesday. There were also 1,021 total staffed impatient beds in TSA F on Dec. 30, up from 973 on Dec. 29.
Consequently, COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for only 15 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA F on Dec. 30, nearly 1 percent less than on Dec. 29.
The increased patient counts in TSA F on Wednesday meant that there were only 327 hospital beds available, 44 less than on Dec. 29; seven available ICU beds, two less; and 75 available ventilators, four less than on Tuesday.
| Trauma Service Area F Hospital Counts | 12/25 | 12/26 | 12/27 | 12/28 | 12/29 | 12/30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1066 | 1077 | 1060 | 1,033 | 1065 | 1113 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 367 | 421 | 428 | 354 | 371 | 327 |
| Available ICU Beds | 6 | 27 | 30 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
| Available Ventilators | 78 | 74 | 75 | 79 | 75 | |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 171 | 161 | 164 | 178 | 170 | 167 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 607 | 564 | 540 | 587 | 602 | 649 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 974 | 985 | 968 | 941 | 973 | 1021 |
| Percent Capacity | 16.04 | 14.95 | 15.47 | 17.23 | 15.96 | 15 |
HHS Reports
The number of COVID-19 cases reported at two local nursing homes continued to increase on Dec. 16, according to Texas Health and Human Services Dec. 30 COVID-19 nursing facilities report.
Three additional employees and one additional resident of Carriage House Manor had tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 16, increasing the active case counts for the facility to five employee and eight resident cases. Cumulatively, the facility has reported 54 employee COVID-19 cases and 77 resident cases, including 40 resident recoveries and 27 fatalities, since March.
Five additional employees and two additional residents of Rock Creek Health and Rehab had tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 16. Two residents at Rock Creek were reported to have recovered from the virus on Dec. 16. Cumulatively, 25 employees and 42 residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including the two recoveries and four fatalities. On Dec. 16, Rock Creek reported 18 active employee and 36 active resident COVID-19 cases.
Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab reported the facility still had only two active employee COVID-19 cases on Dec. 16. Cumulatively, the facility had had 35 employee and 68 resident cases of COVID-19, including seven seven fatalities, according to the HHS Dec. 30 COVID-19 nursing facility report.
Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab report no active COVID-19 cases on Dec. 16. Cumulatively, the facility has had 40 employee and 54 resident cases of the novel coronavirus 2019, including seven fatalities and 47 resident recoveries.
Wesley House also had one active employee COVID-19 case on Dec. 16. Cumulatively, Wesley House reported 11 employee cases and 16 resident cases of COVID-19 since March, according to the HHS Dec. 30 COVID-19 assisted living facility report.
There were no active COVID-19 cases reported Dec. 29 at any of the licensed child care centers, school-age programs, and before- or after-school programs, according to the Dec. 30 report.
2nd Round of Economic Impact Payments Already Being Distributed
Some US residents will begin 2021 with money in the bank. The Internal Revenue Service Tuesday night reported a second round of Economic Impact Payments are already going out to taxpayers across the country.
Authorized by the newly enacted Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the second round of payments or “EIP 2,” is generally $600 for singles and $1,200 for married couples filing a joint return. Those with qualifying children will also receive $600 for each qualifying child. Dependents who are 17 and older are not eligible for the child payment.
“This bipartisan legislation will provide another round of Economic Impact Payments to eligible individuals and families, renew the Paycheck Protection Program to support small businesses and their employees, ensure needed access to unemployment benefits for Americans who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, and provide additional funding for schools, vaccine distribution, and other important sectors of the economy,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, US Department of the Treasury.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that hardworking Americans get this vital support as quickly as possible and to further strengthening our economic recovery”
US Department of the Treasury
“Throughout this challenging year, the IRS has worked around the clock to provide Economic Impact Payments and critical taxpayer services to the American people,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We are working swiftly to distribute this second round of payments as quickly as possible. This work continues throughout the holidays and into the new year as we prepare for the upcoming filing season. We urge everyone to visit IRS.gov in the coming days for the latest information on these payments and for important information and assistance with filing their 2021 taxes.”
Some may have received notification as early as Dec. 29 that the initial direct deposit payments, part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021. The direct deposit payments will continue to be issued this week and the first paper checks were slated to go in the mail today, Dec. 30.
Some Americans may see the direct deposit payments as pending or as provisional payments in their accounts before the official payment date of January 4, 2021.
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig (Photo: www.irs.gov)As with the first round of payments under the CARES Act, most recipients will receive these payments by direct deposit. For Social Security and other beneficiaries who received the first round of payments via Direct Express, they will receive this second payment the same way.
Those who received the first round of payments earlier this year but didn’t receive a payment via direct deposit will receive a check or, in some instances, a debit card. These payments will conclude in January.
Under the earlier CARES Act, joint returns of couples where only one member of the couple had a Social Security number were generally ineligible for a payment – unless they were a member of the military. But this month’s new law changes and expands that provision, and more people are now eligible. These families will now be eligible to receive payments for the taxpayers and qualifying children of the family who have work-eligible SSNs.
Eligible individuals who did not receive an Economic Impact Payment earlier this year will be able to claim it when they file their 2020 taxes in 2021. Taxpayers who didn’t receive a payment this year should review the eligibility criteria when they file their 2020 taxes; many people, including recent college graduates, may be eligible to claim it.
The Economic Impact Payments are advance payments of what will be called the Recovery Rebate Credit on the 2020 Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. According to the IRS, the Economic Impact Payment is not taxable for federal income tax purposes, but will reduce any Recovery Rebate Credit that can be claimed on 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR.
People can check the status of both their first and second payments by using the Get My Payment tool, available in English and Spanish a IRS.gov/GetMyPayment in a few days.
Recipients will receive an IRS notice, or letter, after they receive a payment telling them the amount of their payment. They should keep this for their tax records.
For more information about Economic Impact Payments and the 2020 Recovery Rebate, visit IRS.gov/eip.
2 Hopkins County Jail Inmates Served With Indictments
Two Hopkins County jail inmates were served with indictments Tuesday, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Lester served Jordan Matthew Williams at 10:15 a.m. Dec. 29, 2020, at the county jail with two third-degree felony indictments for indecency with a child by exposure. The offenses are alleged to have occurred in August of 2019.
The 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest late Aug. 6, 2020, by sheriff’s investigators, on an indecency with a child by exposure warrant. He was accused of exposing his genitals to a juvenile victim in 2019 in Hopkins County.
Deputy Lester then served 36-year-old Adam Joshua Hodges of Yantis at 10:40 a.m. at the county jail with an indictment for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone.
Hodges has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Sept. 2 for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana and evading arrest or detention with a previous conviction charges, as well as a warrant for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
When Sulphur Springs Police SCU officers attempted to stop him to serve a the felony warrant, obtained after he sold methamphetamine during an undercover buy, he continued to drive his vehicle from College Street to Morris Drive. He allegedly jumped out of the car and ran through a back yard and jumped two fences before being apprehended behind a residence.
Hodges allegedly had a baggy containing what were believed to be 4.54 grans if hydrocodone pills in his pocket and a bag containing smaller bags that had 18.73 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 1.38 grams of suspected heroin in them at the time of his arrest. A 5-gallon bucket found in the trunk of the car reportedly contained 4.85 pounds of marijuana as well.
The Sept. 2 arrest marked the second time in less than 2 weeks and third time during the summer that Hodges has been booked into Hopkins County jail on a controlled substance charge.
He also was arrested July 23, 2020 on possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, tampering with evidence with intent to impair and evading arrest or detention charges. He was allegedly spotted near a Georgia Street back yard and took off running when deputies approached him. Officers found him in a garage down the street, but he again ran and was apprehended on Lee Street. A bag with more than one pill later determined to be morphine was allegedly found along the path Hodges had attempted to elude officers. He was released from jail July 24 on a $10,000 bond on that controlled substance charge, $10,000 bond on the tampering with evidence charge and $2,000 bond on the evading arrest or detention charge.
The Yantis man was arrested Aug. 21 on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance after officers observed a methamphetamine pipe and several pieces of a crystal-like substance suspected to be meth on the night stand in the front bedroom of a Georgia Street residence. Authorities also found 3.23 grams of suspected methamphetamine in the top drawer of the night stand. Hodges was released from jail Aug. 22 on a $10,000 bond.
While in custody in September on the Sept. 2 charges, the 36-year-old Yantis man was also served in September with warrants for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and theft of property; and for surety off bond on an evading arrest or detention charge and a tampering with physical evidence charge.
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.
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.
Man Arrested For Second Time In Two Months On Felony Charge
A 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man has been arrested for the second time in two months on a felony charge, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Silas Whaley located a wanted man at 2:35 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, at a Helm Lane convenience store. Alexander Garza was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant for violating probation on a third or more driving while intoxicated charge.
The 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail on the felony warrant late Wednesday morning Dec. 30, 2020.
Dec. 30 is the second time in two months that Garza has been arrested in Hopkins County. He was also arrested Nov. 21 on unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and money laundering in the amount of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000. He was released from jail later that day on a $25,000 bond on the firearm charge, a $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and a $1,000 bond on the money laundering charge.
The Nov. 21 charge stemmed from an investigation by SSPD Special Crimes Unit into an illegally parked vehicle. An open container was visible in the console of the vehicle Garza was driving. SCU officers alleged finding a glass pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine on Garza during a pat down, a pistol and 1.8 grams of a suspected methamphetamine near the driver’s seat. Nearly $8,000 was found in a backpack and other items of drug paraphernalia, during a search of Garza’s vehicle. A records check showed Garza to be a convicted felon, resulting in the firearm charge.
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.
State Highway 19 Traffic Stop Results In 2 Arrests
A State Highway 19 traffic stop resulted in two arrests early Wednesday morning, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Aaron Chaney reported a Toyota Camry first caught his attention when the driver failed to dim the car’s high beam lights when it passed him on SH 19 north at County Road 4760. As it passed, Chaney noticed the car also had a defective tail light, so he initiated a traffic stop at 12:48 a.m. Dec. 30, 2020.
When he contacted the occupants, Chaney alleged neither woman could maintain eye contact and both were making furtive movements during their interaction. Suspicious, Chaney asked and was refused permission to search the car.
He asked both for ID and had them step out of the vehicle, then requested an additional patrol deputy to respond at the location to assist. The passenger in the car was identified as 29-year-old Chelsie Nicole Birdsong of Paris, and the driver was a 30-year-old Paris woman.
As Deputy Bobby Osornio arrived to assist, communications operators advised Birdsong had an active warrant out of Lamar County for violation of probation on a 2017 manufacture or delivery of a Penalty Group 2A controlled substance charge. Birdsong was taken into custody on the warrant. A search of her revealed a burned glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine.
A probable cause search of the car revealed several used cigars containing suspected marijuana. HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite, who was in the area, responded and transported Birdsong to jail. Chaney took the 30-year-old driver into custody at 1:10 a.m. Dec. 30 on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge.
Birdsong was held in Hopkins County jail late Wednesday morning, Dec. 30, on the warrant as well as a possession of drug paraphernalia charge for the pipe found in her possession. The 30-year-old Paris woman also remained in Hopkins County jail late Wednesday morning on a drug paraphernalia charge.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care Open Daily
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, December 30 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Now Offering the Newest Technology in Total Knee Replacement
We are proud to offer the newest technology in total knee replacement treatment, Stryker’s Mako® Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Application. The Mako Total Knee application is a treatment option designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis, and is another way to demonstrate our commitment to outstanding joint health. For questions about your joint pain, and the Mako option, contact the office of our very own Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Chris Meltsakos, by calling 903.885.6688.
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- 1 Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- 1 Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16-years old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Clinic Services
Urgent Care
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care, located at 1339 South Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs, is open. The Urgent Care hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The phone number to reach Urgent Care is 903.951.1001. The Urgent Care offers rapid COVID-19 tests, with results in 15 minutes.
COVID-19
Experiencing Symptoms?
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, chills, muscle pain or headache, or diarrhea, please call your provider for either a face-to-face appointment or a telemedicine consultation. If your provider determines you need to have a COVID-19 test, they will send you to the appropriate outpatient location for testing.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please present to the Emergency Room. At this time, we are preserving our Emergency Room COVID-19 tests for those who are experiencing an emergency. Otherwise, we would ask that you follow the steps above.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic welcomes new patients. Please call 903.885.3181 to talk to one of our associates about setting up an appointment.
Don’t Delay Care
We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill. While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not.
To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org or www.cdc.gov.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Dec. 29 COVID-19 Update: 54 New Cases, 37 Recoveries, 28 More Vaccines Administered
Texas Department of State Health Services’ Dec. 29 COVID-19 reports showed 54 new COVID-19 cases (confirmed and probable), 37 recoveries and 28 additional vaccines administered for Hopkins County, while Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Dec. 29 COVID-19 update reported a slight increase the COVID unit patient count and 146 more free COIVD-19 tests conducted on Monday. Texas Health and Human Services also reported two additional COVID-19 fatalities among Sulphur Springs nursing home residents as of Dec. 15.
Dec. 29 COVID-19 Case Counts
The DSHS Dec. 29 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts dashboard showed a total of 1,123 Hopkins County residents have received lab-confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 test results as well as 1,111 cumulative probable COVID-19 cases.
That’s 54 new COVID-19 cases reported on Tuesday, 47 confirmed (molecular) cases and 7 new probable cases, for Hopkins County. That makes 49 new confirmed and 11 new probable cases reported so far this week, and 291 new molecular COVID-19 positives reported this month and 187 new probable cases from Dec. 11 (when the state began daily probable case reporting) to Dec. 29. At that pace, December could potentially match or exceed the record 323 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported during the 31-days of October. That’s 6.02 percent of the Hopkins County population reported to have COVID-19.
DSHS also reported the cumulative number of patient recoveries had increased to 2,036 out of the 2,234 total cases (confirmed and probable). That means 37 additional Hopkins County residents were confirmed on Dec. 29 to have recovered from COVID-19. So far this month, there have been 1,342 recoveries, including the 810 probable case recoveries that had not been counted among the daily recovery count until Dec. 11.
While no COVID-19 fatalities were announced Dec. 29, there were 11 Hopkins County residents confirmed by death certificate to have died this month from COVID-19 and 58 confirmed to have died in previous months from COVID-19. That 0.19 percent of the Hopkins County population who have died from COVID-19, and a fatality rate of 3.09 percent among all COVID-19 cases (confirmed and probable) in Hopkins County.
That leaves 129 active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County as 5:05 p.m. Dec. 29, which is 18 more than DSHS reported on Dec. 28.
COVID-19 Testing
HC/SSEM officials in the Dec. 29 COVID-19 update reported 6,759 oral swab tests had been performed at the free testing center at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs from Sept. 25 to 6 p.m. Dec. 28. That means 146 additional tests were conducted inside the Red Cross building on Monday, 301 since Christmas, 407 in the last seven days and 2,228 so far this month at the free testing site.
DSHS reported 13,457 COVID-19 tests had been conducted in Hopkins County through Dec. 28, 11,170 confirmed molecular or viral tests, 1,131 antigen tests and 1,156 antibody tests. That includes five additional antibody tests and 17 additional antibody tests.
Free COVID-19 testing will continue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 29-31 inside the free testing center on Jefferson Street. The free center in Sulphur Springs will be closed New Year’s Day, then resume weekdays in January from 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. and Saturdays until 5 p.m. at 128-A Jefferson Street.
Online registration is required at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested. Testing is open to anyone regardless of address. Even children ages 3 and up can be tested, provided an adults registers and accompanies them to have the oral swab test performed. The Sulphur Springs free testing site is not a drive through location. Testing is conducted inside the building.
Individuals should refrain from eating, drinking or using tobacco products a minimum of 15-20 minutes before or testing will be delayed. Those testing will need to bring a photo ID and the number provided upon registration with them to the test location. Masks must be worn into the testing center. Testing typically takes about 5 minutes.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Across the state, 611,850 vaccines have been received by providers, with the first dose administered to 163,700 people in 248 of Texas’ 254 counties as of 11:59 p.m. Dec. 28.
The DSHS Dec. 29 COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard showed a total of 66 vaccines had been administered to 66 people in Hopkins County as of 11:59 p.m. Dec. 28, which is 28 more vaccines administered in Hopkins County Monday than were reported on Sunday and 34 more than were reported on Christmas Eve,
According to the DSHS Dec. 29 COVID-19 Vaccine Data report, 300 vaccines have been allocated to Hopkins County, 100 to Brookshire’s Pharmacy and 200 to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. So far, DSHS reported, 66 people have been administered the first dose of the Moderna vaccine.
Texas has been allocated about 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine through the first three weeks of vaccine distribution.
SHS has instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship COVID-19 vaccine to more than 350 providers in 94 Texas counties over the next week. The CDC will deliver 175,100 doses of the vaccine manufactured by Moderna and 81,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine directly to Texas providers.
An additional 121,875 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will go to the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. Vaccinations under the program started in Texas today and, according to the CDC, will serve staff and residents at more than 300 long-term-care facilities in the first week.
DSHS encourages providers to rapidly vaccinate priority populations against COVID-19 and promptly report doses administered in ImmTrac2, the state’s immunization registry. Additional allocations of vaccine will be received each week.
“All providers that have received COVID-19 vaccine must immediately vaccinate healthcare workers, Texans over the age of 65, and people with medical conditions that put them at a greater risk of severe disease or death from COVID-19. No vaccine should be kept in reserve.” DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, stated Tuesday, Dec. 29.
Hopkins County has 29,578 residents ages 16 or older, 7,446 residents age 65 or older, 1,680 healthcare workers who meet the guidelines to receive the vaccine in Phase 1A and 620 who meet the long-term care requirements under 1A, according to the DSHS Dec. 29 COVID-19 Vaccine data chart.
DSHS has posted a vaccine provider location map that will be updated weekly after allocated doses have shipped to providers. A list of providers that will be receiving vaccine this week is available at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/updates/COVIDVaccineAllocation-Week3.pdf, according to the DSHS news release.
Hospital Reports
HC/SSEM’s Dec. 29 COVID-19 update showed 24 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs, which is one patient in the unit Tuesday than on Monday, but still one less than on Christmas Eve and four less than on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23.
While the COVID-19 hospital count rose in Hopkins County, Trauma Service Area F (which includes nearly all hospitals in Northeast Texas, including CMFH-SS) as a whole had seven less COVID-19 patients on Tuesday than the 178 reported on Monday.
While that number declined, the total number of patients in TSA F hospitals rose on Monday. A total of 1,064 hospital beds were staffed on Dec. 29, 32 more than no Dec. 28. There were 602 total hospitalizations, 15 more than on Dec. 28, and 972 inpatient beds were staffed in TSA F on Dec. 29, 32 more than on Monday.
Thus, COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for only 15.96 percent of the total hospitalizations in TSA F on Tuesday, down from 17.23 percent on Monday and 16.054 percent on Christmas Day.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in TSA F have been above the 15 percent high capacity threshold set in GA-32 on six of the last seven days, but only consistently for the last three days. TSAs in which the COVID-19 hospitalizations exceed 15 percent of the total capacity for seven consecutive days must go back a step in the plan to reopen Texas., with businesses and other facilities reducing capacity to 50 percent and in some cases, like bars, could require them to close. The TSA must remain below the 15 percent threshold for a solid week before the restrictions are lifted.
TSA F also reported nine ICU beds available on Tuesday, two more than on Monday and three more than on Christmas Day, but still 21 less beds available on Tuesday than on Sunday and 18 less than on Saturday.
A total of 371 hospital beds were available on Tuesday in TSA F, 17 more than on Monday, but 57 less than on Dec. 27.
A total of 79 ventilators were available in TSA F on Dec. 29, the same as on Dec. 23, but four more than on Dec. 28, five more than on Dec. 27.
| Trauma Service Area F Category | 12/27 | 12/28 | 12/29 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1060 | 1,033 | 1065 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 428 | 354 | 371 |
| Available ICU Beds | 30 | 7 | 9 |
| Available Ventilators | 74 | 75 | 79 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 164 | 178 | 170 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 540 | 587 | 602 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 968 | 941 | 973 |
| COVID Hospitalizations Percent Total Capacity | 15.47 | 17.23 | 15.96 |
Nursing Home, Assisted Living Facility Reports
Texas Health and Human Services’ Dec. 29 COVID-19 nursing facility report, which reflects data reported through Dec. 15, showed two additional nursing home resident died as a result of COVID-19, three additional nursing home employees and four nursing home residents had tested positive for COVID-19, and five employee recoveries.
One resident of Carriage House and one Rock Creek resident were confirmed Dec. 15 to have died from COVID-19. That brings the cumulative total since March to 45 nursing home residents who have died from COVID-19: 27 at Carriage House, four at Rock Creek and seven each at Sulphur Springs Health & Rehab and Sunny Springs Nursing and Rehab.
One additional employee each at Carriage House Manor, Rock Creek Health and Rehab and Sulphur Springs Health & Rehab had tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 15. All four new resident cases were reported at Rock Creek Health and Rehab.
One employee at Carriage House, two at Rock Creek and two at SSHR had recovered from the virus on Dec. 15, according to the Dec. 29 COVID-19 nursing facility report.
HHS in the Dec. 29 COVID-19 assisted living facility report showed one employee at Wesley House had also tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 15, That’s the only active COVID-19 case reported at any of the assisted living facilities in Sulphur Springs on Dec. 15.
There were no active COVID-19 cases among the six licensed child care centers, school-age programs, and before-and after-school programs in Hopkins County on Dec. 28, HHS reports showed.
Lady Cats Soccer Team Wins Scrimmage at Ranked North Forney Monday Night, 3-1
The Lady Cats Soccer Team got a solid scrimmage win over a well regarded opponent Monday night (December 28) on the road. The Lady Cats topped North Forney, 3-1 in Forney. The Lady Falcons are preseason ranked #10 in Region II in Class 5A according to the Texas Soccer Coaches Association poll. The Lady Cats’ first goal was scored by freshman Anna Williams. It was an unassisted goal. Junior Katelyn Robinson scored the Lady Cats’ second goal assisted by sophomore Isabelle Thesing. Sophomore Rebekah Stanley had the Lady Cats’ third goal with the assist going to senior Janine Yamaguchi. Lady Cats Coach Javier Aguayo said the varsity had a very good game. He said an intense first half ended in a 0-0 tie. He said the Lady Cats had plenty of chances to score. Coach Aguayo said thankfully during the second half the Lady Cats were able to take care of business and put three in the back of the net. He said he was very pleased with the way the Lady Cats played. The Lady Cats complete their scrimmage portion of the schedule with an Alumni Scrimmage Saturday. The Lady Cats JV will play the Alumna at 2 p.m. The varsity will face the former Lady Cats beginning at 3:30 p.m. Both games are at Gerald Prim Stadium.
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.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Has Tough Second Half in 41-30 Loss at North Lamar Tuesday
It looked like the Lady Cats Basketball Team had righted their ship in a solid second quarter that gave them an 18-15 led at the half Tuesday afternoon (December 29) at North Lamar. However the second half was a not a good one for the Lady Cats as they were outscored by the Pantherettes, 26-12 in a 41-30 loss. The Lady Cats opened the game with a slow start and they trailed North Lamar 13-5 after one quarter. During the second quarter, the Lady Cats scored 13 points and held the Pantherettes to just 2. Sophomore Kenzie Willis led the Lady Cats with 10 points. Senior Nylah Lindley had 7 points. Senior Dalanee Myles added 5 points. Sophomore Serenity Lewis and Sophomore Addisyn Wall had 3 points each. Junior Baylie Large had 2 points. The Pantherettes’ Maddie Walters led all scorers with 13 points. The Lady Cats are now 6-6 for the season. The Lady Cats ring in the New Year with a home game against Gilmer Friday. A JV game is scheduled at noon with the varsity game to follow at around 1:15 p.m.
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.
Wildcats, Greenville Basketball Game Abruptly Ends at the Half: COVID-19 Concerns
Somehow it seems fitting that the last SSISD High School game of 2020 would be impacted by COVID-19. The Wildcats Basketball Team’s game at home against Greenville Tuesday afternoon (December 29) was at halftime when High School Assistant Principal Jarret Wilson announced to the crowd that the game was being ended due to what he called COVID concerns. No further explanation was given. The Wildcats were leading 33-22 at the break. The Wildcats led after one quarter 24-13 and both teams scored 9 points in the second quarter. The Lions’ Braelan Brown led all scorers with 10 points. The Wildcats were led by sophomore Kordrick Turner with 8 points and junior Justin Haire with 7 points. Senior Boo Wilkerson added 5 points. Senior Lamodrick Johnson had 4 points. Junior Cason Arrington, junior Caleb Alexander and Parker Whisenhunt all scored 3 points. The Wildcats remain 8-5 for the season. Next the Wildcats resume district play Saturday afternoon at Marshall. Freshmen play at 1 p.m. The JV game is at 2:30 p.m. The varsity Wildcats play the varsity Mavericks at 4 p.m. The Wildcats are 1-0 in district play. Marshall is 0-1.
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.
