Alejandra Yañez | THE RIDER
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. held a press conference Friday to review the most recent COVID-19 numbers.
As of the last press conference on Sept. 4, the county had increased by 879 cases.
“Clearly our number of daily cases has dropped significantly in comparison to previous weeks,” Treviño said.
As of Friday morning, the county confirmed an additional 66 COVID-19 cases, raising the total number to 22,405. An additional eight deaths were also reported, bringing the death toll to 869.
The judge said he was pleased to see that numbers are dropping back down to what they were in June, but continues to urge the public to be vigilant of this virus.
Texas reported 679,000 COVID-19 cases as of Friday morning, as well as 14,590 deaths.
“Fortunately, we’ve seen a decrease in the number of new cases per day,” Dr. James Castillo, the health authority for Cameron County, said.
In the last week, the average number of cases per day has been about 60, according to Castillo.
“So, we’re under that 100-per-day threshold,” he said. “So, we need to continue to keep doing what we’re doing.”
As of Friday, 106 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county. This is a decrease from previous weeks but is still about 15% of all hospitalized patients in the county, according to Castillo.
37 people are currently in intensive care units throughout the county.
“Compared to a week ago, this is a decline of about eight fewer medical patients and six fewer ICU patients,” Castillo said.
The Casa De Amistad facility in Harlingen is currently treating 15 COVID-19 patients and will be open through the end of the month until further notice.
Treviño informed the public that with the reopening of face-to-face instruction in schools comes higher risks.
“We anticipate as the schools reopen here in the next few days … that there are some exposure concerns,” he said.
The judge informed the public that if schools have knowledge of a COVID-19 case they are required to report it and that, in the event of an outbreak, the county is prepared to close down the schools.
Last week Gov. Abbot issued a new order that states restaurants and businesses may now open at 75% capacity. However, Treviño clarified that the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo and Victoria are exempt from this order.
“After listening and reviewing, it turns out that [this is not the case] of us,” Treviño said. “He excluded three areas, the Valley, Laredo and Victoria from his expansion.”
The 50% capacity order will remain in place in the RGV at least for the next several weeks, according to Treviño.
In other county news, this Saturday the Los Indios Community Center, 309 E. Heywood St., will be providing free testing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Testing will be available until the limit of 125 is reached. No appointment is required.
Beginning Tuesday, another test site will be available to the public at the Harlingen Sports Complex, 3139 Wilson Road. The site will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Testing will be available until the daily limit of 125 is reached. No appointment is required.
Numbers to call in regard to COVID-19 include: Cameron County Public Health, (956) 247-3650; Cameron County Emergency Management Department, (956) 547-7000; and UTRGV Testing, (833) 877-4863. For help with depression or anxiety related to the coronavirus, call the Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at (833) 986-1919.
