1. Weekly new case average on rise
Following a dip Sept. 25, the 7-day new case average—or the average daily number of new cases reported over seven days—has risen each day, from 34.7 on Sept. 25 to 76 on Oct. 5. However, the rate at which it is increasing appears to be leveling off, as of Oct. 5. The peak on July 20 was a result of a change in reporting methods and a case information backlog.
2. Non-hospitalized, active cases jump 13.5%
Active, non-hospitalized cases have increased from 1,437 to 1,626 from Sept. 29 to Oct. 5. As of Oct. 5, there are 13 residents hospitalized, according to the Montgomery County Public Health District.
3. County still pushing through backlog
The county has made progress on its case backlog, which was first announced Aug. 14; it was the result of delayed inclusion of cases after health care providers first reported cases to the Texas Department of State Health Services. This followed a reporting change July 15, when county officials announced a change in reporting methods after a backlog caused the daily case count report to surge by more than 800 in one day.
Since the Aug. 14 announcement, the county's daily case count totals have included cases that were reported in July, August and, in some cases, prior to July. Of the 137 new cases reported in the Oct. 5 case count, 63 were tested prior to Sept. 21, according to the Montgomery County Public Health District.
