COVID-19 case counts continue to rise in Brazoria County, as the daily reported number of cases surpassed 400 cases Dec. 26. The county topped 300 cases for the first time Dec. 15.

The number of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in general use hospital beds as of Jan. 4 is nearly double the number reported Dec. 20, according to data from the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council. SETRAC reported 77 COVID-19 patients in general use beds as of Jan. 4, or 36% of occupied general use beds. It reported 37 patients as of Dec. 20, or 19% of occupied general beds. From Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, the average number of COVID-19 patients in general use beds was 70, as compared to an average of 42 from Dec. 15-21. The county has 425 operational general use beds and a surge capacity of 510 beds.

The number of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in ICU beds continues to rise as well, according to SETRAC data. From Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, the average number of COVID-19 patients in ICU beds was 19, as compared to an average of 14 from Dec. 15-21. On Jan. 4, 22 of the county’s ICU beds or 55% of the occupied ICU beds, were occupied by COVID-19 patients. The county has 40 operational ICU beds and a surge capacity of 49 beds.

The city of Pearland has 1,468 active cases as of Jan. 5, the highest in the county, which has 4,157 active cases total. The majority of the active cases are in the 30-39 age bracket.