As the state of Texas recorded its 4 millionth case of the coronavirus on Sept. 26, more than 80,000 Fort Bend County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
From Sept. 1-26, Fort Bend County reported 8,170 new cases of the coronavirus with a high of 1,499 on Sept. 8. This is the most cases reported in a single day and the ninth time more than 1,000 cases were reported in a day.
However, the seven-day new case average, a metric used to account for daily variations in newly confirmed cases, has declined since early September. This figure stands at 248.14 as of Sept. 26, down from 447 on Sept. 8.
The following graph tracks the history of the coronavirus pandemic in Fort Bend County, including daily new cases and seven-day averages.
Only positive results using molecular tests count toward the county’s 80,284 total COVID-19 cases. An additional 13,533 Fort Bend County residents have tested positive using antigen tests and 4,401 with antibody tests.
Of the confirmed cases, the county estimates 73,587 people have recovered from the coronavirus. Taking into account the estimated recoveries and the 863 COVID-19-related deaths, there are approximately 5,834 active cases in Fort Bend County.
Coronavirus hospitalizations
The number of people receiving care for COVID-19 at Fort Bend County hospitals rose in late July and early August reaching 273 total coronavirus-related hospitalizations on Aug. 21, according to data from the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council. This included 46 COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit and 227 COVID-19 patients in general hospital beds.
Throughout September, the number of people being treated for COVID-19 at local hospitals has begun to fall. As of Sept. 27, there are a total of 131 coronavirus-related hospitalizations. Of those, 21 are in the ICU and 110 are in general beds, SETRAC data shows.
The following graph shows the history of general and ICU coronavirus hospitalizations in Fort Bend County.
Coronavirus vaccinations
Among Fort Bend County residents age 12 and older—those eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine—74.79% are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Statewide, 61.16% of eligible Texans are fully vaccinated.
Additionally, of the Fort Bend County residents age 65 and older, 91.34% are fully vaccinated and 99.99% have received at least one dose.
Fort Bend County has administered 224,240 doses of the coronavirus vaccine at its county-run vaccination sites.
Data in this story reflects what Fort Bend County, the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council and the Texas Department of State Health Services are reporting as of 5 p.m. Sept. 27.
