The number of COVID-19 cases reported in Galveston County decreased for the sixth straight week the week of Oct. 11, according to public health data.

New-case rates are roughly equivalent to those seen in mid-April, according to weekly case count trends reported by the Galveston County Health District. A total 320 cases as of Oct. 15 were reported the week of Oct. 10, compared to nearly 1,800 the week of Sept. 5 and nearly 2,200 the week of Aug. 1.

The percentage of positive tests has slightly decreased throughout the fall: Percentages were between 15%-17% through September compared to 10%-11% so far in October, per GCHD data. Case fatality remains at 1%, and 2,133 cases are active—down significantly from the 3,755 active as of Oct. 1.

A total of 20 more coronavirus deaths have been reported by the GCHD since Oct. 1, down from the 38 reported Sept. 17-Oct. 1. Of those deaths, three people were fully vaccinated and none were partially vaccinated, per the GCHD.

As of Oct. 15, there have been 1,923 breakthrough cases in Galveston County, per the GCHD’s Oct. 15 update. COVID-19 cases occurring in people who are fully vaccinated are considered breakthrough cases, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This equates to an approximate 1% breakthrough rate; nearly 184,500 county residents are fully vaccinated, per the GCHD. The county is offering vaccines at indoor, drive-thru clinics as well as booster shots for those who qualify.

There are 81 county residents hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Oct. 15, down slightly from 96 at the beginning of October, per the dashboard. Four of those hospitalized are under the age of 21, and 10 are younger than 31.

Click here to view the GCHD’s coronavirus dashboard on the health district website.

Greater Houston COVID-19 updates

Common coronavirus metrics tracked by the Texas Medical Center have shown declines across the board since mid-September, including patient numbers and new hospitalizations. The TMC’s dashboard returned to a weekly publishing schedule Oct. 4. Click here to read more mid-October TMC data breakdowns.

On Oct. 11, Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order banning all forms of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The governor also sent a letter to the Texas Legislature, which would add a ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates to the third special session agenda. If the Legislature passes a bill banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates, the executive order would expire. Click here to read more about order GA-40.

Hunter Marrow and Jishnu Nair contributed to this report.