Milam County judge issues another grim COVID-19 report

“We have another COVID-related death to report in Milam County. This is the seventh death to report in the last seven days. This brings the total deaths in the county to 25 since the pandemic started,” said County Judge Steve Young in an email. “Sadly, on Dec. 28, 2020, we only had 11 deaths in the county and now we have more than doubled that amount in less than 30 days

On Tuesday the county recorded three more deaths due to COVID-19, so this makes a total of seven deaths reported since Jan. 18.

“We can solve this problem: wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands and above all, get vaccinated. The vaccine is safe and 95 percent effective. A special thanks to all of you who are doing your part to comply.”

Monday the county received 300 first round doses that will be administered at the former Cameron hospital at 806 N. Crockett on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will call the first 300 people that are currently on the waiting list for the shots.

Those who are called should go to the website http://www.milamcounty.net/page/milam.COVID19 and download the three required consent forms: COVID-19 consent form; Adult Immtrac consent form; and Immtrac 3 Immunization Registry Retention Consent form; complete the forms and bring the completed forms to the vaccination clinic.

“This will save a lot of time. However, we will have forms available at the vaccination site” Young said. Friday the county will vaccinate the first set of second round booster shots.

This will be done at the Milam County Health Department located at 209 S. Houston.

This is by appointment only and those to be vaccinated will be contacted with their appointment times.

During the week of Feb. 1, the county hopes to vaccinate many more people.

“We don’t know what our allotment will be, but it could be as much as 600 doses. Whatever we get, we will use it and vaccinate. We thank Sarah Goeres and Brookshire Brothers for partnering to create the first Milam County public/ private COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

This will be done during the week of Feb. 1 in Rockdale.

To get on the COVID vaccination waiting list. Call 254-697-7000 or email Amy Guillen at aguillen@milamcounty.net.

Once on the list, you will a call to schedule your appointment, when it is your turn.

“Right now we have almost 2,500 people on the list, but do not let that deter you from getting on the list. In the next two weeks we will make a big dent in the list,” he said.

THE NUMBERS— COVID-19 cases this week have been measured Wednesday to Tuesday.

• Cumulative cases – 1,148, up 53 from 1095.

• Active cases (PCR test) – 49, up four from 45.

• Open cases (PCR) – 0.

• Confirmed (antigen) cases – 793, up 22 from 771.

• Hospitalized – 13 for no change.

• Deaths – 25.

TESTING—Free antigen (93 percent accurate) testing continues with the following schedule:

• Wednesday—Milano, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Milano Fire Station.

• Thursday—Cameron, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cameron Fire Station.

• Friday—Buckholts, 8 a.m. to 12-noon, 111 West Main.

• Monday, Rockdale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., former Richards Memorial Hospital.

• Tuesday—Thorndale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fireman’s Hall.