Texas saw its second consecutive day of declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, but the number of new cases continues to climb.
On Saturday, hospitalizations fell to more than 13,700 — down from nearly 14,000 on Wednesday. There were more than 15,000 new cases across Texas on Saturday, and the state reported 260 deaths.
Since Aug. 1, COVID-19 killed 2,570 Texans — 91 per day. At least 11 of those deaths have occurred in Kerr County. On Thursday, Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas urged people to take the virus seriously.
“For anyone who still, somehow, doubts the seriousness of this virus, I would urge you to take a hard look around you," Thomas said. "Cases of positive COVID-19 are high, deaths in our community have surpassed 100, the hospital is under a great deal of strain and the number of patients suffering so severely that they have to be hospitalized is the highest it’s ever been."
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 173 active cases in Kerr County. The accuracy of that accounting is hard to pin down. Kerrville Independent School District had as many as 140 cases over the last eight days.
An article by the Kaiser Family Foundation raised questions about Texas' strategy to stress antibody infusion therapies rather than masks and vaccines. Gov. Greg Abbott has repeatedly touted the tactic ins shortening COVID-19 illnesses.
Antibody cocktails, which must be given within 10 days of covid infection or exposure, are effective for many patients.
Dr. Christian Ramers, chief of population health and an infectious disease specialist at Family Health Centers of San Diego, said it's no substitute for vaccines
"It's a backwards strategy," said Ramers. "It's so much better to prevent a disease than to use an expensive, cumbersome and difficult-to-use therapy. It does not make any medical sense to lean into monoclonals to the detriment of vaccines. It's like playing defense with no offense."
Regeneron infusions cost about $1,250 a dose. For now, the federal government is covering the cost.
