The Comal County Office of Public Health, or OPH, reported 13 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the county's total to 134 confirmed cases.

The OPH also reported 13 probable cases of the virus, which is a new category added due to guidelines issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services. It includes residents who tested positive using a quick-result antigen test but not a PCR test, which is more accurate but takes longer to process.

There are now 31 active confirmed and probable cases of the virus in Comal County and two residents are hospitalized. The death toll remains at 7, with the most recent death being a New Braunfels man in his 90s who died in a San Antonio hospital on May 17.

The new cases are self-isolated and are distributed through the county as follows:

• New Braunfels has 10 confirmed cases and nine probable cases, with their ages ranging from under 18 to their 80s.
• Eastern Comal County has one confirmed case and two probable cases, with two in their 20s and one in their 40s.
• Spring Branch has one confirmed case and one probable case and the residents are in their 30s and 60s.
• Bulverde has one confirmed case and the resident is in their 40s.
• South Canyon Lake has one probable case in a resident in their 70s.

According to a county spokesperson, residents with probable cases were previously required to take a PCR test as well but that is new optional because instructions for probable cases are the same as those given to confirmed cases. Epidemiological investigations treat them the same too.

“For all intents and purposes, a probable case is treated the same as a confirmed positive case,” said Cheryl Fraser, Comal County director of public health. “They have reported COVID-19 symptoms, and they either have a positive test result or close contact with a confirmed positive case.”

The week of June 1 through June 8 was the second highest week for confirmed cases of the coronavirus across Comal County and Guadalupe County since the pandemic began

This week is on pace to be the highest reported week yet.

Including probable cases, there have been 99 cases of the coronavirus reported in New Braunfels.

As of June 8, Guadalupe County reported 157 cases of the coronavirus. 22 of those cases remain active and two residents are hospitalized.

"As people increase their contact with each other, we are seeing the spread of COVID-19 increase,” Fraser said. “It’s more important than ever for everyone in our community to protect themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors by avoiding large groups, wearing face coverings, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently.”