The county also reported 101 recoveries Oct. 4, bringing the active case count to 875. Beginning in August, daily active case totals had remained above 1,000 until the number dropped to 927 on Oct. 1. Between Sept. 27-Oct. 4, a total of 17 coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the county. The deaths occurred between Aug. 17-Sept. 27 and included seven New Braunfels residents, five Spring Branch residents, two Canyon Lake residents, two Bulverde residents and one Garden Ridge resident.
Comal County hospitals Oct. 4 reported caring for 38 COVID-19 patients, 14 of which were in intensive care, and 11 were on ventilators. According to the county, 91% 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 9.25% of total hospital capacity Oct. 4, down from 11.34% on Oct. 1.
A total of 29 Comal County residents were reportedly hospitalized with the virus as of Oct. 4, though not all residents are hospitalized within county hospitals. As of Oct. 4, a total of 94,943 Comal County residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine, and 83,754 have been fully vaccinated. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 62.84% of 133,278 county residents over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated.
In Guadalupe County, a total of 90,039 residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine and 79,671 have been fully vaccinated as of Oct. 4. According to the DSHS, 56.96% of 139,873 county residents over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated. 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.
Guidelines for who qualifies for a third dose can be found online, and individuals should discuss their options with their primary health care provider.
Those interested in being vaccinated can visit the DSHS website or speak to their primary care provider for information and to schedule an appointment.
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.
Residents can view a list of vaccine providers on the DSHS website or utilize the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ online search tool to find a testing site.
