End of mask mandate, spring break didn t bring spike in Longview-area COVID-19 cases
Experts say the arrival of spring and availability of vaccines could speak to why the COVID-19 number are currently staying low.
Credit: Michael Cavazos Published: 12:29 PM CDT April 11, 2021 Updated: 12:29 PM CDT April 11, 2021
LONGVIEW, Texas Texas lifted its mask mandate and business restrictions about four weeks ago. Spring break ended about three weeks ago. However, local COVID-19 case counts have become almost a trickle, in contrast to the spikes that occurred after Thanksgiving and Christmas, for instance.
Thousands of cases hit the area in Gregg, Harrison, Panola, Rusk, Smith and Upshur counties during each of those holiday seasons compared with fewer than 800 total in those six counties during the past three weeks. If a spike was going to happen, it would have already shown up in case counts, said Dr. Lewis Browne, Gregg County Health Authority.
Gregg County Health Authority doctor talks about Phase 1C of COVID-19 vaccine
WEBXTRA: Dr. Brown talks Phase 1C By Jamey Boyum | March 15, 2021 at 12:24 PM CDT - Updated March 16 at 2:56 AM
LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - As of March 15, another group of individuals will become the focus of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Those over 50 are the next most vulnerable group, according to the CDC. KLTV talked with the Gregg County Health Authority Dr. Lewis Browne who said this weekend there will be hundreds of extra doses available at the Christus Good Shepherd Hub at the fairgrounds in Longview.
Now, healthy adults age 50 and up qualify for Covid-19 vaccinations, he said.
East Texas mayor, Gregg County Health Authority give insight on COVID-19 increase
Region G Hospitalizations By Jamey Boyum | January 5, 2021 at 6:46 PM CST - Updated January 6 at 1:43 AM
EAST TEXAS (KLTV) - The COVID-19 hospitalization rate has been above 15 percent of total capacity for 22 days straight. On Tuesday, Trauma Service Area G was reported at just over 21 percent. Gregg County Health Authority, and a local mayor who issued a warning about spreading COVID-19, share more about this situation.
Gregg County Health Authority Dr. Lewis Browne and Pittsburg Mayor David Abernathy aren’t in the same counties, but they are both in Trauma Service Area G, where hospital ICU beds are filling up.