Although there are fewer active instances of COVID-19 in Central Texas this year than there were a year ago, vaccination rates in the area remain low, and the virus still poses a hazard to people who are not fully vaccinated.
COVID-19 cases were reported active in Texas on Friday, accounting for nearly a fifth of the 82,732 cases that were active on July 2, 2020.
In Central Texas, at least 854 active cases were reported Friday, down 60% from the 2,336 cases reported a year ago. However, three regional counties had more active cases Friday than they had a year earlier.
Mask use decreased as the virus transmission slowed, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people aged 2 and older who are not fully vaccinated should wear masks in indoor public places, in crowded outdoor settings, and when participating in activities with others who are not fully vaccinated, which includes more than 40% of Texas.
Nearly 58 percent of all people 12 and older in the state have received one dose of vaccination, and nearly half were fully vaccinated Friday.
In Central Texas, about 40% of residents aged 12 and above have received one dosage, and just over 34% have been fully vaccinated.
In Bosque County, nearly 38% of residents aged 12 and up were fully vaccinated on Friday; in Coryell County, more than 29% were fully vaccinated; in Falls County, more than 34% were fully vaccinated; in Freestone County, almost 29% were fully vaccinated; in Hamilton County, more than 40% were fully vaccinated; in Hill County, more than 40% were fully vaccinated.
In the 16 Central Texas counties, just over 11 percent of residents aged 12 to 15 have received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and only about 7% have been fully vaccinated as of Friday.
About 15.5 percent of Bell County residents aged 12 to 15 years old have got one shot, and 9.5 percent have received all three doses as of Friday.
On Friday, Freestone County had 1,132 total confirmed and 850 total probable cases. According to state data, at least 1,918 residents have recovered and 50 have died. At least 14 cases were active Friday. On July 2, 2020, the county had 21 active cases.
One case involving a staff member at the William Boyd Unit in Teague was reported by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on Friday. Lampasas County also reported 1,880 verified cases and 340 probable cases.
According to state records, at least 2,173 residents have recovered and 33 have died. On Friday, there were at least 14 current cases. On July 2, 2020, there were eight active cases in the county so people have been urged to take precautions and celebrate independence day responsibly.
