COVID Update

Erath County officials reported 52 new cases of COVID-19 in the report from Monday night (Dec. 28). Thirty-one of these new positive cases were from within the city limits of Stephenville and 21 were rural residents of the county.

Total deaths since March were reported at 27 by the Department of State Health Services.

Total COVID-19 cases increased by 164 (2,201 to 2,365) in the week from the Dec. 21 update to Monday night’s report, while active cases increased from 348 to 356.

Recovered cases were reported at 1,980 on Monday, up from 1,826 from the week before.

Current hospitalizations were reported at 15.

Erath County and other counties in Trauma Service Area E remain under the stricter guidelines as of Tuesday, due to the hospitalization remaining above 15%.

According to the Governor’s Executive Order 32 (GA-32), tighter restrictions are required in any TSA that is over 15% for seven days.

According to the Governor’s Executive Order 32 (GA-32), tighter restrictions are required in any TSA that is over 15% for seven days.

These restrictions include:

■ 50% maximum occupancy in restaurants, stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms and exercise facilities and classes, museums and libraries

■ discontinuing elective surgeries

■ closing bars and similar establishments

Hospitalization in TSA E stood at 23.36% on Monday night.

Daily updates for Erath can be found at: https://co.erath.tx.us/ DocumentCenter/View/1331/COVID-19-Erath-Co-Daily-... or on the County Website home page scroll down and click on the “Daily COVID-19 Report.”

—Citizen staff report