Central Texas hospitals have highest percentage of COVID-19 patients compared to other Trauma Service Areas

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

As of Wednesday, Aug. 4, the state’s local hospital Trauma Service Area L, made up of Bell, Coryell, Lampasas, Hamilton, Milam, and Mills Counties, has the highest percentage of COVID-19 patient hospitalizations in the state compared to the other 21 trauma service regions. 

More than 200 inpatients being treated at area hospitals have COVID-19, out of a total of 1,104 staffed hospital beds, or 18.4 percent, according to the Texas Department of State Health Service’s tracking of hospitalizations.

The nearest local hospitals in the local TSA include Coryell Memorial Hospital in Gatesville, AdventHealth in Killeen, Baylor Scott & White in Temple, AdventHealth Rollinsbrook in Lampasas, and Darnall Army Medical Center on Fort Hood. 

Statewide, a total of 7,685 are hospitalized with COVID-19. Hospitalizations statewide are at their highest point since February 18 of this year. Hospitalizations are four times higher than they were just one month ago, when there were only 1,657 hospitalized in the state of Texas.

Also on Wednesday, the state of Texas added 15,558 new confirmed cases to bring the total number of active cases statewide to 126,950. This was the highest one-day jump in new cases since Feb. 2, when there was a one-day total of 19,000 new cases. 

This is a more than 25 percent increase in active cases just since Aug. 1.  

Coryell County’s estimated 366 active cases grew to 409 from Aug. 1 through Aug. 4. 

In response to the increasing cases locally, one local event, the 7th annual Stuff the Bus to be held by Copperas Cove ISD at the Copperas Cove Walmart, was canceled by Walmart’s corporate offices. 

According to a statement released by Walmart, “Due to the rising cases of COVID in Texas and out of an abundance of caution, a decision was made to cancel the Stuff the Bus event in Copperas Cove. It was a difficult decision as the event is a long-standing event that the store enjoys hosting every year.  In place of the event, there will be donation bins at the front of the store so customers can drop off much needed school supplies to help local students.”

Lampasas County now has an estimated 163 active cases, up from 128 on Aug. 1. Bell County’s 965 active cases increased to 1,141 as of Aug. 4.