COVID-19 cases increased in Hill, Bosque counties in July Data released by the state shows that both Hill and Bosque counties experienced a surge of COVID-19 cases in July, as did the state as a whole.
Hill County closed out June with a total of 66 reported cases of COVID-19, and Bosque County had only confirmed 14 total cases heading into July.
Data available at the end of July showed that Hill County’s total number of cases had risen to 301, and Bosque County was at 121 cumulative cases.
Six Hill County deaths due to COVID-19 had either been confirmed or were pending official confirmation by the state as of the end of last week, and Bosque County was reporting two deaths from the virus.
As the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, local information has been released by Hill County Judge Justin Lewis and Bosque County Emergency Management.
While data is available on the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) dashboard website, the cumulative case count is often the only figure that matches numbers released by local officials.
Lewis has explained that this is because Region 7 of DSHS provides actual numbers to the county, while the dashboard estimates recoveries and active cases based on a formula that relies on usual recovery times and other factors.
As of Thursday, July 30, numbers received from Region 7 showed 273 active cases of COVID-19 in Hill County. Numbers released in Bosque County Friday, July 31, showed that 83 people were actively battling the virus in that county.
In his update to Hill County Thursday, July 30, Lewis provided additional data about how the virus was spreading throughout the county.
Active cases by community in Hill County as of Thursday were as follows: Abbott-13; Aquilla-4; Blum-8; Bynum-2; Carl’s Corner-1; Covington-3; Hillsboro-119; Hubbard-12; Itasca-40; Malone-3; Mertens-1; Mount Calm-5; Penelope-4; Rio Vista address-1; Whitney-56.
Age ranges impacted in the county include: 10 and under (14); 10 to 19 (35); 20 to 29 (48); 30 to 39 (45); 40 to 49 (44); 50 to 59 (41); 60 to 69 (44); 70 to 79 (21); 80 and over (15).
There were 163 females diagnosed with COVID-19 in the county as of Thursday, and 138 males had been diagnosed.
“I don’t want you to think just because we gained more cases we are going backwards,” Lewis said in his update. “I still believe we are headed in the right direction, and while our actions are working to slow this virus, it will take time to see the results.”
Lewis encouraged the community to continue taking precautions, such as wearing a mask while inside a public building or outdoors when you cannot maintain six feet separation between non-household members and washing your hands often.
He added that anyone who is sick or who has come into contact with someone who is sick should stay home.
“If we follow this simple guidance, we can get back to normal quicker,” Lewis said. “Keep your chins up. We will get through this together.”
Bosque County Emergency Management reminded those who have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results to assume they are positive and self-quarantine until they know for sure. “According to DSHS, part of this increase has been attributed to this exact cause,” read a release from the department.
(Editor’s Note: The numbers above continue to change rapidly. For the latest information, follow The Lakelander on Facebook for updates throughout the week.)
