Note: The Hays County Local Health Department released an updated report for Dec. 18 indicating a change in the total current hospitalizations from 15 to 19. 

The Hays County Local Health Department reports three new COVID-19-related fatalities Dec. 18, a Kyle woman in her 90s, a San Marcos man in his 60s and a San Marcos woman in her 60s. There have been a total of 119 fatalities in the county.

The county also reported 71 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 63 recoveries, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 8,759, total active cases to 1,262 and recoveries to 7,378. The county reports the total active cases in the past 21 days is 1,757.

San Marcos, Kyle and Buda have 331, 455 and 252 active cases, respectively.

According to Epidemiologist Eric Schneider, the total number of received negative tests in the county is now 63,990. The total number of hospitalizations is 479 and total current hospitalizations is 19 after seven people were hospitalized 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.