The number of those hospitalized with COVID-19 at Peterson Regional Medical Center fell to under 40 people for the first time in nearly a week.
On Thursday, Peterson reported 37 people hospitalized — the lowest number since Sept. 3. Just three of those patients received vaccinations against the virus.
Peterson also reported 17 new cases — none of those vaccinated. The slight reduction of hospitalizations is undoubtedly good news after an onslaught of COVID-19 patients consumed nearly half the beds in the Kerrville hospital.
The number of hospitalized across Texas held steady, with 13,400 people admitted, including more than 320 children. In the San Antonio region of the Texas Department of State Health Services, there were 1,100 people hospitalized with COVID-19. The ICU situation was still precarious, with just 53 intensive care unit beds available across the region.
The state has held steady with more than 13,000 infections for 19 consecutive days. In January, Texas saw 19 consecutive days with 13,000 or more patients hospitalized. Between Dec. 20, 2020, and Feb. 4, 2021, Texas hospitals had 10,000 or more patients for 47 straight days.
The Texas DSHS estimated that 190 people in Kerr County had active COVID-19 infections.
On Thursday, DSHS said there were more than 28,000 new infections — bringing Texas' two-day total to more than 62,000. The state reported 408 newly recorded deaths.