Active COVID-19 cases double in Montgomery County since Nov. 17

A week after Montgomery County hit a record for active coronavirus cases, active COVID-19 cases continue to rise countywide, according to data provided by the Montgomery County Public Health District on Dec. 3.

Data shows active cases hit 3,807 on Dec. 3, which is an increase of 13.1% since Monday, Nov. 30, and a 104% spike since Nov. 17. Active cases in the county hit a record high Nov. 24 of 2,757, surpassing the previous record reached this summer on July 27.

While active cases continue to rise, the positivity rate saw a slight decline, to 11.6% on Dec. 2 from 12% the prior week. COVID-19 deaths are also not rising at the pace of active cases. Since Nov. 17, eight deaths from the virus have been reported, MCPHD data shows, including four since Nov. 30.

The latest update comes as Gov. Greg Abbott announced Dec. 2 the state would be receiving 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in December.

NEW from @CDCgov:

The State of Texas will receive an initial allotment of over 1.4M doses of #COVID19 vaccines this month.https://t.co/z91RZe49Og pic.twitter.com/0WkNu2Wtok

— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) December 2, 2020 "The state of Texas is already prepared for the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine and will swiftly distribute these vaccines to Texans who voluntarily choose to be immunized," Abbott said in a statement released on Twitter on Dec. 2. "As we await the first shipment of these vaccines, we will work with communities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19."

Montgomery County officials said they are preparing for the distribution of vaccines, which could begin before the end of the year.