The Texas Department of State Health Services updated the number of fatalities from COVID-19 in Kerr County on Tuesday, but this latest death was from Sept. 15 — further demonstrating how far behind the state is in reporting.
How many more deaths are still unaccounted is unclear, but what's increasingly clear is the DSHS continues not to count deaths at Peterson Regional Medical Center.
That lack of accounting has artificially driven the death toll down in Kerr County. The Lead's estimate of Kerr County COVID-19-related deaths is now 200 people. DSHS puts the death toll at 139. The large discrepancy is due to DSHS not counting deaths at nursing homes, assisted living centers, the Kerrville VA Medical Center of the Kerrville State Hospital.
Peterson's last death of a Kerr County resident happened on Nov. 16 — a date confirmed by hospital officials. DSHS does not appear to have counted a Peterson death in nearly a year.
On Tuesday, after not reporting for a week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Peterson said it had nine new positive tests and two people admitted to the intensive care unit.
Then there's the issue of real-time reporting when it comes to knowing the prevalence of COVID-19 in Kerr County. On Tuesday, the state said there were 207 active cases — the largest number in weeks. However, the reality of that number is unclear.
With an additional death in September, the number of fatalities is 21 in that month, with 57 deaths since Aug. 1.
Here are the COVID-19 deaths since Oct. 1:
Oct. 1, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services.Oct. 3, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Oct. 22)Oct. 5, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services.Oct. 6, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services. (Reported on Nov. 4)Oct. 7, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services. (Reported on Oct. 27)Oct. 10, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services.Oct. 10, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Oct. 21)Oct. 14, as reported by Peterson Regional Medical Center. (Reported on Oct. 15)Oct. 14, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Oct. 20).Oct. 14, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Oct. 21).Oct. 22, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Oct. 28).Oct. 25, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Nov. 12).Nov. 4, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Nov. 11).Nov. 7, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Nov. 20, changed to Nov. 7 on Nov. 30)Nov. 16, as reported by Peterson Regional Medical Center (Reported on Nov. 17).
