“Omicron is indeed another surge and another wave in Denton County,” Richardson said during a Jan. 6 Denton County commissioners meeting.
From Jan. 3-6, the health department reported 2,949 COVID-19 cases, according to county data.
Cases among younger people are rising more than those of older people, Richardson said. Pediatric cases went up from 200 cases to 366 in the matter of weeks. Those 20-29 years old saw a rise in cases from 294 to 635.
Hospitalization is also up to 17.5%, Richardson said. In Denton County, one in five people hospitalized have COVID-19.
“It really is staggering,” he said.
The test positivity rate has increased since October, he said. The positivity rate is 35%, which is up from the 5% seen in October. That means 35 of every 100 tests come out positive.
Denton county is offering drive-thru testing, Richardson said. Testing is available Jan. 10 and Jan. 12 at the Denton County Public Health Department, and Jan. 11 and Jan. 13 at Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville. Appointments are required and can be scheduled online.
The best defense against the fast-spreading virus is vaccination, he said. Vaccination sites can be found on the public health department’s website.
