Seven active COVID cases reported in Donley County

Seven people have active cases of COVID-19 in Donley County this week, according to the Clarendon Family Medical Center.

That figure is down one from last week, but officials say the total positive cases for August now stands at 16 as cases continue to rise in the Panhandle region.

Amarillo Public Health Director Casie Stoughton said last Tuesday that 98 patients were hospitalized for COVID in area facilities at that time, 50 of those patients were in the ICU, and 30 were on ventilators.

CFMC spokesperson Marsha Bruce says there have now been 395 total positive cases of the disease confirmed at the local clinic since the pandemic began more than one year ago. A total of 1,587 COVID-19 tests have been performed at the clinic with 1,192 negative results.

As always, it is important to note that those figures do not count Donley County residents who test positive for the disease at other facilities, such as regional hospitals or other clinics.

The Moderna vaccine is available at no charge at the local clinic for everyone ages 18 and over. The Pfizer vaccine is available in Amarillo for children ages 12 and over.

The Texas Tribune reports this week that overall only 28.2 percent of Donley County residents – a total of 944 people – are fully vaccinated as of August 17.