BREAKING: COVID-19 cases reported in Comal County nursing home, New Braunfels care facility for residents with disabilities

On June 25, Comal County announced 11 residents and 12 staff at The Heights of Bulverde nursing home, located in Spring Branch, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

A cluster of three cases was reported at River Gardens in New Braunfels—a care facility for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Comal County became aware of these cases June 22, according to a county official.

“Between the rise in hospitalizations and the increase in cases among at-risk and closed communities, Comal County is facing a new challenge from COVID-19,” said Cheryl Fraser, the director of Comal County Public Health. “To avoid overtaxing our health care system and endangering the most vulnerable members of our community, it’s imperative that we all work together to limit the spread of coronavirus by social distancing, wearing face coverings in public, and frequently washing hands or using hand sanitizer.”

In a press release, New Braunfels also reported 33 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, increasing the county's case count to 504.

New Braunfels-area residents are 24 of the cases, eight are in the Bulverde and Spring Branch area, and one is south of Canyon Lake.

According to the county, the majority of the new cases are among people under 40 years of age.

One new hospitalization was also announced June 25, bringing the county's total to 18 active hospitalizations.

There are 294 Comal County residents with active cases of the virus.

The seven-day rolling average for COVID-19 testing positivity in the county is 18.1%, with 1,253 tests and 227 cases reported between June 18 and June 25.

That rate was above 20% on June 23 and June 24. The overall testing positivity rate since the pandemic began, including mass nursing home testing, is 8.47%.