The Texas Department of State Health Services implemented a new reporting system that caused the Hays County Local Health Department to add 22 new COVID-19 fatalities to its records Oct. 23. The total number of fatalities in the county is now 86.

A Hays County press release states, “The new cases are a result of enhanced reporting protocols from hospitals, funeral homes, nursing facilities and other providers. Moving forward, this change will allow the HCLHD to report numbers that are consistent with state data.”

According to a press release, almost all of the residents were known to have been diagnosed with COVID-19, but the health department was “never properly notified of their passing.” The release also states that based on the new reporting system, Hays data will now show one less fatality in Mountain City.

The county also reports 19 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 46 recoveries Oct. 23, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 6,287, active cases to 510 and recoveries to 5,691. Total active cases in the last 21 days is 341.

San Marcos, Dripping Springs, Kyle and Buda have 28, 31, 322 and 99 active cases, respectively.

According to Epidemiologist Eric Schneider, the total number of received negative tests in the county is now 33,537. The total number of hospitalizations is 366 and total current hospitalizations is 9 after three patients were admitted and three were discharged.

The University Star will continue to provide COVID-19 updates as any additional information is released.

Individuals concerned about possible exposure to COVID-19 are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider or the Hays County Local Health Department at 512.393.5520. For additional information about COVID-19, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services or the Centers for Disease Control website.
The University Star’s COVID-19 coverage can be found here.