The Hays County Local Health Department reported two covid-related fatalities as well as 19 new hospitalizations and 11 new hospital discharges Dec. 22-28. Among the fatalities were a Buda man in his 50s and a San Marcos woman in her 70s.

During the seven-day period, there were 1,229 newly confirmed cases bringing the total number of active cases in the county to 1,510, approximately triple the amount of active cases compared to 474 from Dec. 14-20.

Of the 20 people hospitalized, 16 of them are unvaccinated, according to the county.

Since the start of the pandemic the county has recorded a total of 32,239 positive cases of coronavirus, of which 30,316 have recovered.

The HCLHD reminds county residents to take precautions such as frequent hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks when indoors and around a large group of people this upcoming holiday weekend if traveling or hosting out-of-town friends and family.