An additional 85 recoveries were reported on Aug. 30, bringing the total to 13,623 recoveries. A total of 1,511 active probable and confirmed cases were reported as of Aug. 30. Since Aug. 23, the county has reported 15 coronavirus-related deaths for a total of 369 coronavirus-related deaths recorded among county residents since March 2020.
Comal County hospitals on Aug. 30 reported caring for 75 COVID-19 patients, 18 of which were in intensive care and 15 were on ventilators. According to the county, 93% of the patients in county hospitals with COVID-19 are not fully vaccinated. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Trauma Service Area P was reported to be 18.72% of total hospital capacity on Aug. 30, down from 20.89% on Aug. 23.
A total of 28 Comal County residents were reportedly hospitalized with the virus as of Aug. 30, though not all residents are hospitalized within county hospitals.
As of Aug. 30, a total of 90,913 Comal County residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine and 77,691 have been fully vaccinated. According to the DSHS, 58.29% of 133,278 county residents over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated and 68.21% have received at least one dose.
In Guadalupe County, a total of 85,658 residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine and 73,473 have been fully vaccinated as of Aug. 30. According to the Department of State Health Services, 52.53% of 139,873 county residents over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Aug. 23 the first full COVID-19 vaccine approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Moving forward, the vaccine will be marketed as Comirnaty for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years old and older.
The vaccine is still under emergency use authorization for individuals ages 12-15 and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised people, according to the FDA. Comal County public health authorities announced Aug. 30 that moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals may schedule a third dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine at least four weeks after their second dose through the county.
“COVID numbers are at an all-time high and getting vaccinated is still our best shield against the virus. We encourage those who have not received the vaccine to consider it,” said Cheryl Fraser, Comal County director of public health, in a press release. “Individuals who are immunocompromised and qualify for the third dose are now eligible to receive it. The hospitals are finding that most of the COVID[-19] patients are unvaccinated and very ill.”
Guidelines for who qualifies for a third dose can be found online and individuals should discuss their options with their primary health care provider.
COVID-19 testing sites are available throughout the region, and many area pharmacies and health care providers offer vaccination appointments. Home testing kits are also available at some in-person and online retailers.
Those interested in being vaccinated can visit the state DSHS website or speak to their primary care provider for information and to schedule an appointment.
Residents can view a list of vaccine providers on the DSHS website or use the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ online search tool to find a testing site.
