Wildcats Basketball Team Struggles On The Road At Unbeaten Mount Pleasant In 55-34 Loss
The Wildcats Basketball Team never recovered from a very cold start in a 55-34 loss at first place Mount Pleasant Tuesday night, February 2
The Wildcats were only able to produce 2 points in the first quarter and 5 in the second quarter as they trailed 11-2 after one quarter and 23-7 at halftime. The Wildcats played much better in the third quarter but could only match Mount Pleasant, 17-17 and still trailed 40-24 after three quarters. The Tigers outscored the Wildcats 15-10 in the final quarter to get a 21 point win.
Sophomore post Kordrick Turner led the Wildcats with 12 points and senior point guard Lamodrick Johnson had 11 points. Junior post Justin Haire had 6 points. Senior guard Malique Cole had 4 points. Senior guard Boo Wilkerson had 1 point.
The unbeaten Tigers clinched the district championship with the win. The Wildcats slip to 8-3 in district play and 15-9 for the season. The Wildcats can clinch second place in district with a Senior Night home win Friday night against Texas High.
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.
#13 Ranked Saltillo Lions Basketball Team Stays Unbeaten In District With Tuesday Win
The Saltillo Lions Basketball Team, ranked #13 in Class 1A in a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll, remained perfect in district play with a dominating 83-47 win over Avinger Tuesday night, February 2.
The Lions led 20-10 after one quarter, 44-20 at halftime and 67-31 after three quarters. Both teams had 16 points in the fourth quarter. The Lions shot free throws well canning 21 of 27.
Andrew Redburn led the Lions with 30 points. Chris Boekhorst poured in 22 points. Coy Collins and David Whitworth both had 9 points. Gunner Tarver added 5 points. Colby McCoy scored 4 points. Colton McGill had 2 points.
The Lions are now 7-0 in district and 14-7 for the season. The Lions play next on Friday at Union Hill.
Feb. 2 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 18 New Cases, 12 In COVID Unit
The good news in the Feb. 2 COVID-19 updates is that COVID-19 hospitalization continue to decrease locally, in Trauma Service Area F and across the state this week. Unfortunately, one additional Hopkins County COVID-19 fatality and 19 new COVID-19 cases were reported for Hopkins County on Tuesday.
Hospital Reports
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management, in the Feb. 2 COVID-19 update reported the patient count in CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs COVID Unit dipped from 14 on Monday to 12 on Tuesday. That’s the least number of patients reported by HC/SSEM to be in the unit since Oct. 29, when the CMFH-SS COVID unit housed only 11 patients. The next nearest was Nov. 4, when the COVID unit was reported to have 13 patients. The patient count has been steadily declining from 26 patients on Jan. 19, which was down from 32 patients Jan. 7–Jan. 8.
That reflects a trend across the state over the last week of declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to Texas Department of State Health Services Feb. 2 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard. A total of 11,002 COVID-19 patients were in Texas hospitals on Monday, 72 less than on Sunday, and 198 less than Saturday, 471 less than Friday, 979 less than Thursday, 1378 less than on Wednesday and 1,793 less than Tuesday and 1,849 less COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals on Feb. 1 than last Monday, Jan. 25. That’s down 3,216 from Jan. 11 when the COVID-19 patient count peaked at 14,218 across the state and 241 in Trauma Service Area F.
The COVID-19 patient count in Trauma Service Area F has remained below 200 since Jan. 20, and below 175 since Jan. 25. The patient count dropped from 177 on Jan. 24 to 167 on Jan. 25-26 and to 143 on Jan. 29 — the lowest in the last 38 days (the period during which TSA-F began experiencing “high hospitalizations,” that is days in which COVID-19 hospitalizations amounted to 15 percent or more of the total hospital capacity in the service area). The COVID-19 patient count on Monday, Feb. 1, was just one patient shy of that mark again on Feb. 1, with 143 COVID-19 patients in TSA-F hospitals.
Monday was the fifth day in which COVID-19 hospitalizations were less than 15 percent of the overall hospital capacity in TSA-F, which means two more consecutive days under 15 percent and the count starts over for TSA-F. Businesses in TSA-F that opened at 75 percent in October, but per GA-32 were supposed to reduce capacity to 50 percent when the area posted seven consecutive days over 15 percent on Jan. 2, will be allowed to reopen to 75 percent. Elective surgeries will be allowed to resume again too, if COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to make up less than 15 percent of the overall hospital capacity in TSA-F.
As COVID-19 hospitalizations have decreased, its freed up more hospital beds, ventilators and ICU beds in TSA F as well, according to the DSHS Feb. 2 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard and Combined Hospital Data over Time by Trauma Service Area (TSA) report.
Case Counts
January ended on a more hopeful note than it began –with fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations, six recoveries and only one new confirmed COVID-19 case reported on Sunday, February has started with a bang case-wise.
So far, 24 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 16 probable cases have been reported for Hopkins County during the first two days of February, which is 19 more new confirmed cases and five more probable cases than on Jan. 1-2 and a dozen more confirmed cases than Dec. 1-2. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, only October, a month with 323 confirmed COVID-19 cases, had more cases during the first two days of the month: 17 on the first and three on the second.
Cumulatively, 2,673 COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County since March 21, when the first novel coronavirus 2019 case was confirmed in Hopkins County. That includes 1,393 Hopkins County residents who have received positive molecular COVID-19 test results and 1,280 probable cases, determined by positive antigen tests or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis
So far, there have been no recoveries in February. Cumulatively, however, 2,416 of the 2,6,73 Hopkins County residents who’ve had COVID-19 have recovered.
DSHS’ Feb. 2 COVID-19 dashboard showed 94 Hopkins County residents have been confirmed by cause on death certificate to have died from COVID-19. That means one additional Hopkins County resident was confirmed Tuesday to have died from COVID-19.
The latest COVID-19 death is reported to have occurred on Jan. 24, increasing the fatality count for January to 11: two each on Jan. 2 and Jan. 5; and one each on Jan. 3, Jan. 6, Jan. 8, Jan. 14, Jan. 16, Jan. 23 and Jan. 24., according to the DSHS Feb. 2 COVID-19 County Trends and Case Counts dashboards. That total could increase as the state receives official death certificates for Hopkins County residents who have passed away.
That leaves 163 active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2021.
COVID-19 Testing
HC/SSEM officials in the Feb. 2 COVID-19 update reported a total of 9,077 molecular COVID-19 test have been performed at 128A Jefferson Street since the Red Cross building opened up as a free COVID-19 testing site in the fall. That includes the 95 tests conducted Monday at the free testing site.
The Feb. 2 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard shows a total of 14,263 viral or molecular tests have been performed in Hopkins County. One additional antibody test and 11 additional antigen tests were conducted on Monday in Hopkins County, increasing the cumulative totals to 1,837 antigen tests and 1,775 antibody tests. Overall, more than 17,875 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hopkins County since the pandemic began.
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 Data
Twenty-one additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to people in Hopkins County on Monday, increasing the overall total to 2,129. Thirteen additional people in Hopkins County received the first dose of the vaccine while eight more received the second dose of the shot Monday. That makes 1,797 who’ve gotten the first dose of the vaccine, and 332 who’ve been fully vaccinated with both doses of the two-shot vaccine, according to the Feb. 2 COVID-19 Vaccine Data dashboard.
The number of people fully vaccinated is expected to continue to grow this week, as 400 additional doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine have been allocated to Hopkins County to finish vaccinating those who received their shots about 4 weeks ago. Hopkins County has been allocated a total of 2,800 doses of vaccine so far, including 800 second-doses over the 8-weeks of distribution. No additional doses had been allocated on Tuesday to offer those still waiting the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
People can find more information about the COVID-19 vaccine at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
Click here a full list of vaccine allocations for the week of Feb. 1.
A list of vaccination hub providers and their contact information is also available on the DSHS website.
Click this link to see the DSHS/Texas Department of Emergency Management map of vaccine providers.
Lady Cats are 4th and Wildcats 2nd at Separate Powerlifting Meets in Paris Last Week
The Lady Cats and Wildcats Powerlifting Teams competed at Paris’ meets last week.
The Lady Cats were in a 10 team field and finished 4th last Thursday (January 28). The Lady Cats had 5 lifters. Markida Hood took 1st place in the 198 pound weight class lifting a total of 530 pounds. Machelle Allen was 3rd with a 790 pound total. Reese Offutt was 4th lifting 500 pounds total. Addy Lamb took 6th in the 132 pound weight class with 585 pounds total. Kenia Harrera also competed in the 123 pound weight class for the Lady Cats.
On Saturday (January 30), the Wildcats competed in Paris against 8 other teams and finished 2nd. The Wildcats had 12 lifters. Austin McCain was 1st in the 114 pound weight class lifting 515 pounds. Juan Hernandez was 1st in the 132 pound weight class lifting 1050 pounds. Matthew Mitchell took 1st in the 181 pound weight class with 1255 pounds total. Ryan Carillo was 2nd in the 198 pound weight class with 1235 pounds total. Chad Maynard was 3rd in the 242 pound weight class with 1355 pounds. Sean Dial was 3rd in the 275 pound weight class with 1240 pounds. Jakobe Yarbrough was 4th in the 308 pound weight class with 1200 pounds. Brenden Fink was 4th in the 165 pound weight class with 1010 pounds. Alfredo Olavide was 5th in the 242 pound weight class lifting 1080 pounds total. Conner West was 6th in the 198 pound weight class with 1005 total. Clayton Boykin was 7th in the 198 pound weight class with 905 total. Josh Sutton was 7th in the 242 pound weight class with 1015 total.
The Lady Cats and Wildcats lift next in a meet at Royse City on Thursday.
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.
Sulphur Springs Basketball, Soccer and Softball on Game Day Tuesday
On this game day Tuesday, there is district soccer and basketball and a Lady Cat softball scrimmage.
The Wildcats Basketball Team travels to Mount Pleasant for a summit meeting with the Tigers. The Wildcats are 8-2 in district play and in second place after bumping off Longview on the road Friday, 62-44. The Tigers are 10-0 in district play and they are 21-0 for the season. The Tigers are currently ranked #10 in state in Class 5A according to a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ poll. The Wildcats come in with a season mark of 15-8. There will be a freshman game in Mount Pleasant at 5 p.m. A JV game will follow at around 6:15 p.m. The Wildcats and Tigers’ varsity teams meet up at around 7:30 p.m. When the two teams played in Sulphur Springs back on January 12, the Tigers won in overtime, 44-41, on a three point basket at the buzzer. The Wildcats have won 5 games in a row since then.
Meanwhile the Wildcats Soccer Team will have their big rivalry game with Mount Pleasant at Gerald Prim Stadium. One has to go back to 2006 to find the last time the Wildcats got the best of the Tigers. The Wildcats come into the game at 0-1 in district play after their district opening loss at home last Friday, 1-0 to Longview. The Wildcats are 9-5-1 for the season. The schedule calls for a JV 2 game at 4 p.m., a JV 1 game at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity contest at around 7:15 p.m. KSST Radio will bring you the Wildcats and Mount Pleasant soccer beginning at around 7:15 p.m. The game is expected to have streaming video and audio. The game will be posted to YouTube after the game and will also be aired at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
For the second straight district game, the Lady Cats Soccer Team will be on the road. They too travel to Mount Pleasant. There will be a JV game at 5:30 p.m. The varsity match begins at 7:15 p.m. The Lady Cats opened district play in Longview last Friday and came up short, 5-3. The Lady Cats, 0-1 in district play are 6-5-3 for the season. The Lady Tigers are 1-0 in district play after a win over Pine Tree on Friday at home, 3-1.
Finally, the Lady Cats Softball Team opens the scrimmage portion of their schedule Tuesday. The Lady Cats will scrimmage Gilmer at Gilmer beginning with a JV scrimmage at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity scrimmage to follow.
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.
Landscaping, Flower Garden Maintenance, Planting Recommendations From Texas AgriLife Extension For February
Submitted By Dr. Mario Villarino
Here are some recommendations from Texas AgriLife Extension for February:
If you have ash trees in your landscape, keep an eye open for the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), an insect invader from China that has killed many thousands of ash trees in the eastern United States, and is approaching our region. The Texas Forest Service has recently begun a monitoring program in a number of counties that may become affected by the half-inch- long beetles. If you discover any beetle you think may fit the description, please contact Joe Pase (East Texas) at 936-639-8170 or [email protected] or James Houser (Central Texas) at 512-339-4589 or [email protected].
Continue to water and fertilize cool-weather annuals such as Flowering Tobacco, Bells of Ireland and Stocks to encourage the best blooms. Now is an excellent time to transplant mature or established trees and shrubs while they are dormant.
Make flower and vegetable garden plans now before the rush of spring planting. Time spent in armchair gardening before the fireplace will pay off in improved plant selection. Besides, it is fun to page through the garden catalogs.
Sow seeds in flats or containers to get a jump on plant growth before hot weather arrives. Petunias, begonias, and impatiens should be sown in early January. Warm temperature plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, and periwinkles, should be sown in late January or early February.
Apply a light application of fertilizer to established pansy plantings. Use one-half pound of ammonium sulfate per 100 square feet of bed area. Repeat the application every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on rainfall. Dried blood meal is also an excellent source of fertilizer for pansies.
Prepare beds and garden area for spring planting. Select and order gladiolus corms for February/March planting. Plant at two-week intervals to prolong flowering period.
Check junipers and other narrow-leaf evergreens for bagworm pouches. The insect eggs overwinter in the pouch, and start the cycle again by emerging in the spring to begin feeding on the foliage. Hand removal and burning of the pouches are ways of reducing the potential damage next spring.
The life of the plant received as a Christmas gift can be prolonged with proper care. Keep the soil moist but provide drainage so that excess moisture can flow from the pot. Keep the plant out of range of heating ducts and away from heating units. Keep in a cool room at night, preferably at 60 to 65 degrees F.
Don’t fertilize newly set out trees or shrubs until after they have started to grow, and then only very lightly the first year.
When buying plants, the biggest is not always the best, especially when dealing with bare-root plants. The medium to small sizes (4 to 6 feet) are usually faster to become established and more effective in the landscape than the large sizes.
Hold off on pruning bush roses until February or early March. Use good shears that will make clean cuts. Remove dead, dying, and weak canes. Leave 4 to 8 healthy canes and remove approximately one-half of the top growth and height of the plant. Now is an excellent time to select and plant container-grown roses to fill in those bare spots in your rose garden.
When pruning shrubs, first prune out any dead or damaged branches; then thin out by removing about one-third of the canes or stems at ground level, removing the oldest canes only; and last, shape the rest of the plant, but do not cut everything back to the same height.
Water foliage plants as well as other containerized plants only when needed and not by the calendar.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Time To Prepare Soil For This Year’s Garden
By Gere Camper, Hopkins County Master Gardener
It is time to prepare the soil for this year’s garden. A soil test is inexpensive, easy to do, and has many benefits. The first benefit is to maximize the garden’s production. It will tell you how much of the primary plant nutrients, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K) that need to be added. It will also tell you the status of other important nutrients such as Carbon, Sulfur, and Magnesium as well as other important trace minerals. Finally it will tell you how much organic matter is available and the pH or acidity of the soil. The soil test kits are available at the AgriLife Extension Office and include simple instructions for pulling the sample and an envelope to submit the sample.
While you wait for the results of the soil test you can clean up the waste from last year’s garden. Any waste from diseased plants should be burned or put into the garbage for pick up. Waste from healthy plants can be chopped into smaller pieces and added to the compost pile. The garden plot should be raked clean and smooth and covered with a 2” to 4” layer of mulch. Compost, shredded leaves, or shredded native wood chips are excellent for this. This mulch layer will protect the soil from rain and wind erosion, retain moisture, attract beneficial insects, beak down into valuable organic matter, and help warm the soil for faster seed germination.
When this is complete or when the weather is too bad to be working in the garden, you can plan the layout of the garden. It is important to rotate your crops so that you are not always growing them in the same spots. This crop rotation will prevent harmful insects and disease vectors such fungus and harmful bacteria from preying on the same species of plants year after year. If space permits leave some areas in the garden for cover crops. Legumes are a good cover crop. These will take nitrogen from the air and fix it in the soil. Common examples are alfalfa, red clover, vetch or cowpeas. Rotate these to different areas and they will greatly improve your soil over the years.
When you get your soil test results, it will have recommendations of nutrients to add. It will recommend a certain number of pounds of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium per 100 square feet. These will correspond to the three numbers on bags of fertilizer such as 30-10-20. That would be 30% Nitrogen (N), 10% Phosphorous (P) and 20% Potassium (K) or 15 pounds of nitrogen, 5 pounds of phosphorous, and 10 pounds of potassium in a 50 pound bag. This will let you determine what fertilizer to buy and how much you will need, follow these closely. Too much can be worse than not enough. The soil test will also tell you if you need to add lime to raise the soil pH or sulfur to lower the soil pH and how much of either to add.
The mulch cover should be raked back and the amendments spread evenly over the gardens surface. The soil surface should be lightly tilled or broken up with a hoe to incorporate the nutrients into the first few inches of the soil. Then the mulch should be raked back over the surface. You now have a well prepared bed for your summer garden crops to call home.
Sulphur Springs City Council To Consider Requests For 380 Agreements, Final Plat
Sulphur Springs City Council has a full agenda tonight, Feb. 2, which includes requests for 380 agreements, a final plat for apartments, a Homeland Security grant application, calling for general and special elections, a Capital Improvements Plan, a proposal to crush waste concrete and to extend emergency paid sick leave and an executive.
Three of eight resolutions on the agenda are requests for 380 agreements to build three properties: at 110 West Ross Street, 212-214 East California Street and 220 Craig Street. Since the city approved the policy in August, a few requests for these type of agreements have been made to take advantage of the city’s infill housing policy, which offers incentives for construction of single family homes on identified lots within the city with existing city-maintained streets, sewer and water. The lot must be at least 10 years old and the new single family home must be constructed within 3 years of being granted a 380 agreement.
In exchange for providing the additional housing, either for personal use or as a rental property, thereby providing additional housing to meet growing needs, the City of Sulphur Springs can reimburse upon completion city permitting fees, tap fees to utility systems, delinquent city taxes and liens on the property if there are any. The city may also, if agree upon and needed, assist with demolition costs to clear the lot for construction of the single family home.
Submitted to the City Council at the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission is a request for a final plat from BGE Inc. for Block 24-4 Z of Jewell Subdivision, 5.488-acres at the northwest intersection of League and Bell Streets, abutting Rockdale Road, to construct 2 three-story apartment buildings. Darren Smith with developer MVAH Partners told the P&Z Commissioners last month that the 72 units would be age restricted to senior adults age 55 and older, and would be funded with low income tax credits from the State of Texas.
Bids are to be considered for a bank depository and a proposal for TBK Materials, LLC, to crush solid waste concrete into recycled millings for street and infrastructure development are also on the agenda.
The annual report on traffic stops and arrests, monthly manager’s report, Black History Month proclamation and Capital improvement presentation are also slated to be given by city staff during the 7 p.m. meeting Feb. 2.
The City Council will be asked to consider amending the 2019-2023 CIP Plan for drainage at Beckham and Lamar Streets.
Resolution approving an application for a Homeland Security Grant; calling a special election for Place 5 and general election for places 1-3 on the council, naming election judges and setting early voting dates; and a resolution extending the temporary emergency paid sick leave due to COVID-19 disaster declaration also are on Tuesday night’s agenda.
The City Council is scheduled to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters, “in accordance with Texas Government Code, Title 5, Chapter 551, Section 551.074, Personnel Matters, specifically relating to discussions regarding the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals, the City Secretary, the City Attorney, and the City Manager; and Section 551.087, Economic Development.”
Afterward, the City Council will reconvene in open session to take action on any matters forwarded for action following the closed session.
The meeting will be begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 and will be conducted on Zoom and streamed for public viewing on the City Of Sulphur Springs Meetings YouTube page in observance of COVID-19 social distancing parameters. A number will be provided during the meeting to allow community members to call in at designated times should they wish to comment on any of the topics on the agenda or during the designated public forum time.
Guaranty Bank and Trust Front Lobby Now Open
You can now enter Guaranty Bank and Trust’s newly remodeled front lobby to do your banking business. Masks are required and masks will be provided for those who enter. The Sulphur Springs location at 919 Gilmer Street opened the new lobby on February 1, 2021.
Feb. 1 COVID-19 Update: 16 New Cases, 9 Doses Of Vaccine Administered
Texas Department of State Health Services’ Feb. 1 COVID-19 dashboards show 16 new COVID-19 cases for Hopkins County on Monday, but no additional recoveries or fatalities.
COVID-19 hospitalizations are also down locally, across the state and across Trauma Service Area F compared to totals posted one week ago, according to DSHS and county reports.
Case Counts
DSHS Feb. 1 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard shows 14 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, 13 more than on Jan. 1. On Sunday, only one Hopkins County residents received a positive molecular COVID-19 tests result, increasing the total number of confirmed cases in January to 247. That’s more confirmed cases during January than any other months of the pandemic except October and December, when 323 and 290 new confirmed cases were reported.
Two new probable cases were also reported for Hopkins County on Monday, 19 less than on Jan. 1. There were no additional probable cases reported for Hopkins County on Sunday, so the total for January was 153 Hopkins County residents who either received a positive antigen COVID-19 test result or had a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.
While six Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from coronavirus on Sunday, increasing January’s total to 363 on Jan. 31, no new recoveries were reported on Monday. Cumulatively, 2,416 of the 2,639 Hopkins County residents who have had COVID-19 have recovered from it, according to the DSHS data.
That means the active COVID-19 case count for Hopkins County increased from 130 on Jan. 31 to 145 on Feb. 1. February has started with seven more active cases than on Jan. 1, 55 more than on Dec. 1, but only one more than on Nov. 1.
Hospital Data
The patient count in the COVID unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs continued to decrease Monday, from 20 reported on Friday to 14 on Monday, Feb. 1, Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported in the Feb. 1 COVID-1 update. The least number reported for the COVID unit in January was 18 on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 27-28, and the lowest COVID unit count in December was 17. In fact, the last time the COVID unit held as few as 14 patients was Nov. 9.
That has been reflected across Trauma Service Area F, which includes all of Northeast Texas, and the state as a whole. In Texas, the COVID-19 hospital counts began dropping from 12,851 last Monday, to 12,380 on Wednesday, 11, 981 on Thursday, 11,473 on Friday, 11,200 on Saturday and 11,074 Sunday.
Across Trauma Service Area F, the lab-confirmed COVID-19 patient count has been less than 170 for the last week, rising from 167 on Monday and Tuesday to 168 on Wednesday, dropping to 158 on Thursday and 142 on Friday, increasing to 163 on Saturday and dropped back to 152 on Sunday.
Those lower numbers, coupled with changes in overall capacity, mean that for the past four days TSA-F has accounted for less than 15 percent of the area’s overall hospital capacity. TSA-F fell from 15.73 percent on Wednesday to 14.73 percent on Thursday, 12.91 percent on Friday, 14,89 percent on Saturday and 13.94 percent on Sunday, according to the DSHS Feb. 1 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard. Three more days below that 15 percent and businesses in TSA-F will be able to again open at 75 percent capacity and elective surgeries can resume.
COVID-19 Vaccine
As of 11:59 p.m. Sunday, 2,093 people in Hopkins County have received doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, nine more tests administered on Jan. 31.
A total of 1,784 people (1,088 females, 691 men and two people for whom no additional data is known) had received the first dose of the vaccine and 324 people had received the second dose of the vaccine (180 females, 105 men and three people for whom no additional data is known) on Jan. 31. That’s eight more people (seven women and one man) who received the first dose of the vaccine and one more woman who is fully vaccinated.
An additional 400 doses of the vaccine have been allocated to Hopkins County this week. However, as was the case with the 100 allocated to Hopkins County last week, all 400 are the second dose to be administered to those who received the first dose of Moderna vaccine about 28 days ago.
People can find more information about the COVID-19 vaccine at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
Click here a full list of vaccine allocations for the week of Feb. 1.
For a list of vaccination hub providers and their contact information, click the link above.
Click this link to see the DSHS/Texas Department of Emergency Management map of vaccine providers.
COVID-19 Testing
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management reported 8,982 molecular COVID-19 tests had been performed 128-A Jefferson Street since the fall when the Red Cross building was set up as a free testing site. That means a total of 95 oral swab tests were performed at the free testing center on Friday and Saturday combined.
DSHS’ Test and Hospital Data dashboard shows a total of 14,200 viral or molecular COVID-19 tests have been performed in Hopkins County since the pandemic began last March. Twenty-one antigen tests and four antibody tests were conducted on Sunday in Hopkins County, increasing the totals counted so far in Hopkins County to 1,826 antigen tests and 1,774 antibody tests.
Cumulatively, that’s 17,800 COVID-19 tests conducted in Hopkins County.
Free oral swab COVID-19 testing has been extended into February. 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 at is open to anyone regardless of age or address. Registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
