County Reports ‘Widespread Community Transmission’ of COVID-19, Confirms 38 New and 11 Probable Cases
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Comal County on Monday confirmed 38 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 197 and 11 additional probable cases, for a total of 43.
The county’s positivity rate — the percentage of tests with a positive result — is now 5.66 percent, up from 4.77 percent on Saturday and 3.81 percent a week ago.
“It’s clear we are seeing a spike in cases driven by a lack of social distancing and the emergence for the first time of widespread community transmission in Comal County,” Cheryl Fraser, Comal County director of Public Health said in a statement on Tuesday. . “To protect your health and the health of your loved ones and community, everyone should practice social distancing, wear a face covering if they must go out, and continue frequently washing hands and using hand sanitizer.”
The county said the majority of COVID-19 cases occurred in residents of New Braunfels or the immediate area. The individuals range in age from under 18 to their 60s, although more than 20 of the cases are in their 20s.
Four of the cases are from the Bulverde area, one is from the Garden Ridge area, and one is on the south side of Canyon Lake. A handful of new cases are scattered in the unincorporated areas of the county, especially northwest and northeast of New Braunfels.
The county also confirmed 10 more recoveries from COVID-19, for a total of 137. With seven deaths, the county now has 97 active confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, six of them hospitalized after a previously reported case was admitted to the hospital.
Tuesday’s Statistics
- 4,240 tests conducted
- 197 confirmed cases
- 43 probable cases
Location Breakdown
- 146 from New Braunfels or the immediate area
- 21 from the Bulverde area
- 19 from eastern Comal County
- 16 from north of Canyon Lake
- 9 from south of Canyon Lake
- 8 from the Spring Branch area
- 8 from central Comal County
- 5 from the Garden Ridge area
- 4 from southwest Comal County
- 2 from Fair Oaks Ranch
- 1 from Schertz
- 1 from the Fischer area
‘Probable Cases’
‘Probable cases’ is a category established by the Texas Department of State Health Services to describe those who do not have a positive PCR test for COVID-19, but meet two of the following three criteria:
- A positive quick-result antigen test
- Experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
- Close contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case
A probable case is treated identically to a confirmed case and counts toward the county’s positivity rate and total case tally.
