BRAZOS COUNTY, TX — Brazos County Public Health's Dr. Sullivan stressed in his most recent COVID-19 press briefing that the recent jump in cases is not due to more testing, but due to community spread.
Dr. Sullivan says the county saw 155 new cases since their press conference last Monday and they are expecting even more in the coming days.
On Saturday, the county reported 60 new cases in one day.
According to officials, there is now a 10% positivity rate in Brazos County, meaning individuals presenting for testing are more likely to be positive.
"We must continue to take personal responsibility," Dr. Sullivan said. "Where we cannot socially distance, we should be wearing masks, we must practice hand hygiene."
Dr. Sullivan encouraged the community to hold themselves accountable to practicing social distancing.
Hospitals in the area are at about a 50-60% occupancy currently, and administrators are keeping a close eye on those numbers, but they change frequently.
Dr. Sullivan said the county started to see numbers increase around Memorial Day, which was expected as the state reopened.
He says the county is also seeing a rise in the severity of the illness, and he is concerned for the next two weeks.
"The virus is here, the virus is alive and well," Dr. Sullivan said. "We have to take this seriously."
Brazos County Public Health officials also said 60% of the 25 deaths reported were living in an assisted living facility.