The number of COVID-19 cases in East Texas continues to accelerate upwards.  In just the past two days several area school districts have announced that they are closing down to try and get a handle on the rampant illnesses in their schools (Woden, Wells and Kennard).  Officials at the Angelina County Jail announced today (Wednesday) that they will temporarily suspend visitation until further notice due to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the community and in the county.

The polarizing banter continues between those that are against mask mandates and vaccinations and those who believe that vaccines and masks are our best weapons in bringing this outbreak under control.  Regardless of your thoughts on what we should do or shouldn't do, the COVID-19 cases continue to rise, and tragically, after quite a lull in fatalities, COVID-19 related deaths are once again going up in our area.

It seems every time I take a look through social media there are many people asking for prayers for friends and relatives who are battling this virus.  I also see many questions concerning the availability of area infusion centers to treat COVID-19.  Every once in a while I'll see someone put up a laughing emoji on a story of someone who is very sick or who has died.  I'll never be able to understand that.  I simply pray that God may touch their heart with compassion.

Sharon Shaw with the Angelina County and Cities Health District has the official numbers given to her by the Texas Department of State Health Services, and she continues to see firsthand the mounting number of calls coming into the center. According to a story in the Lufkin Daily News, Angelina County is averaging about 100 new COVID-19 cases every day.

 

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