As COVID cases climb, no mask recommendation in Bastrop County, Texas

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Despite a recent “minor spike” in COVID-19 cases, Bastrop District Judge Paul Pape said he would not support asking residents vaccinated against the virus to wear masks or change their lifestyle to to protect those who have not been vaccinated.

Bastrop County reported 51 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday, the highest daily total since February 2, when 101 new cases were reported in the county, according to state health data. 29 new confirmed cases were reported on Tuesday.

“We’re not surprised by this small increase in COVID-19 cases,” said Pape. “As more and more people who have not been vaccinated are out there, there will be more cases. We find that those who have been vaccinated have mild reactions to the virus and recover quickly without hospitalization. Those who have chosen not to accept the vaccine may experience a more severe reaction, but our medical facilities and health care providers are well placed to respond. “

“You will remember that the first response to the pandemic over a year ago was to flatten the curve,” Pape said. “It definitely happened. If people choose not to use the vaccine, it is their personal right. I will not support asking those who have been vaccinated to wear masks again or to change their lifestyle to protect those who have chosen not to be vaccinated against this disease. “

Pape’s stance contradicts a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued Tuesday urging residents vaccinated against COVID-19 to reassign face coverings in areas where viral infections are on the rise, federal health officials say that the new delta variant is more transferable than previous variants.

Governor Greg Abbott issued an order in May banning local governments from implementing mask mandates. However, as viral infections rise in the Austin area, the capital has incorporated into level 4 coronavirus guidelines, a sign that pandemic conditions are worsening again, and urges residents to be independent in areas where social distancing is essential social distancing is not possible from vaccination status, wearing face coverings. The city guidelines are not required by law.

Since June 30, there have been four deaths in the Bastrop district that can be attributed to COVID-19, according to the state health authorities. There were six COVID-19 deaths in Travis County during the same time.

Christine Files, Bastrop County’s emergency management coordinator, said Monday’s daily maximum likely represents the total number of cases that have accumulated over the weekend. The state health department reported no new cases on Sunday and reported 32 new confirmed cases in the Bastrop district on Saturday.

Ahead of Monday’s daily high of 51 over the past five months, the count of 32 new cases on Saturday was the county’s highest daily total since Feb. 16, when 44 new confirmed cases were reported, state health data shows.

“Any time we have an increase in new cases, it is worth taking note and examining how it is affecting our health system,” said Files. “The hospitalization rate for Trauma Service O is still low at 6.24%.” Bastrop County is part of Trauma Service Area O, which includes 11 counties in central Texas, including Travis, Hays, Williamson, Fayette and Lee counties.

As new virus cases increase locally, Bastrop County remains without a health authority after Dr. Desmar Walkes resigned in May to take on a similar position with Austin and Travis Counties.

Pape said Dr. Sharon Melville, Region 7 Medical Director of the State Department of Health, is the county’s point of contact for COVID-19-related matters. He said there was no schedule for appointing a new health agency, but said he would discuss the vacancy with the Commissioners Court and ask medical workers interested in the position to contact his office.

“Then I will make a recommendation to the court based on responses from local doctors,” he said.

The files say the county emergency management office receives weekly COVID-19 case reports from the state health department and continues to provide residents with information on where to get vaccinated on its social media pages and on the county’s coronavirus website. She said local emergency management officials are working with the state to organize vaccination events as requested, and some back-to-school vaccination clinics are planned for local school districts.

The files say her recommendation to Bastrop County residents was to get vaccinated.

Vaccination prevents serious illness, hospitalization, and death, according to the CDC. The U.S. Health Department is urging residents who are not vaccinated to get vaccinated and continue to wear face covers until they are fully vaccinated.

In Bastrop County, 46.2% of residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated, and 57.9% have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to state health data. Of the over 65-year-olds in the district, 66.4% are fully vaccinated and 80.3% have received at least one dose.

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