A review of electronically reported files in the Texas Health Trace system identified a large number of cases that were not included in daily reports given to Comal County and Guadalupe County, according to a press release. Region 8, which includes the two counties, is expected to see a significant increase in case counts as these backlogged reports are added.

In Comal County, 36 cases reported in August or prior were added to the county’s case count. All individuals from this group have since recovered.

In Guadalupe County, 1,601 cases that were reported between March and Sept. 9 were added, bringing the county total to 3,545. It has not yet been determined how many of those cases are recoveries.

According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Guadalupe County has had a total of 76 coronavirus-related deaths as of Sept. 22, with no new deaths reported since Sept. 14.

Between Sept. 14-22, Comal County reported two new coronavirus-related deaths and 209 new cases. A Spring Branch man in his 80s and a New Braunfels man in his 30s died, bringing the total number of deaths to 116.

The county’s seven-day positivity rate as of Sept. 22 was 7.27%, down from a seven-day positivity rate of 9.5% on Sept. 11 but up from a rate of 5.02% on Sept. 18.

Comal County also recorded 277 recoveries since Sept. 14, bringing that total to 2,983. The county now has 250 active cases, 20 of which are hospitalized.

On Sept. 22, it was reported that county hospitals are caring for six COVID-19 patients, three of whom are in intensive care beds and two of whom are on ventilators. Not all patients are county residents, and not all county residents are hospitalized within Comal County.

Comal ISD and New Braunfels ISD have also reported positive and symptomatic cases as well as incidents of exposure to a positive case.

As of Sept. 22, NBISD has reported six positive cases, 58 symptomatic cases and 97 exposures to a lab-confirmed case.

CISD has reported 25 positive cases, 144 symptomatic cases and 151 exposures to a lab-confirmed case.

Residents who wish to be tested for COVID-19 can call the county’s dedicated hotline, 830-221-1120, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.