Entering this week, the Department of State Health Services had record of 191 active cases of COVID-19 in Austin County, a 39-case increase from the previous week. Three more fatalities were also added to the totals and as of Monday, there had been 44 COVID-related deaths in Austin County.

According to DSHS as of Tuesday, 76.49% of Austin County residents 65 years or older and 48.32% of residents 12 years or older are fully vaccinated. 84.51% of the population 65 and older and 57.9% of the population 12 and older have received at least one dose.

Statewide, 77.48% of residents 65 years or older and 58.15% of residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated. 29,508,468 total doses have been administered and 13,995,677 residents are considered fully vaccinated, which are increases of 556,679 and 312,861, respectively.

In County Judge Tim Lapham’s weekly update, his numbers showed 133 cases between Aug. 30 and Sept. 5, a 21-case increase from the previous week’s numbers. Out of the total, 63 cases were tied to Sealy, 44 in Bellville, nine in Wallis, seven in New Ulm, four in Cat Spring, three in Industry and one each in Bleiblerville, Brenham and Chappell Hill. Although not all the cities on his list are in Austin County, Lapham has said those are residents who put an Austin County address when they get tested.

Sealy ISD update

Monday, Aug. 30, Sealy ISD announced it was going to close schools that Thursday and Friday heading into the long weekend after two additional elementary classrooms had to be shut down because of rising cases in the class. At that time, there were 42 active cases according to the statement.

Following the Labor Day weekend, Sealy ISD announced Monday there were 58 active cases, 47 among students and 11 among staff members. In the Sept. 6 update, it said daily case numbers slowed over the long weekend.

Sealy ISD Superintendent Bryan Hallmark said six cases were reported Thursday and seven were reported on Friday before two, three and four cases were reported Saturday, Sunday and Monday, respectively. The update said more than 10 cases per day were reported last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hallmark also reminded parents to make sure students who don’t feel well stay home, even if it’s a simple runny nose. Similarly, if families are waiting for COVID-19 test results to return, the student should stay home until a negative result is produced.

In a Sept. 2 update, Hallmark said a varying number of students who tested positive showed a varying array of symptoms but others were asymptomatic. Still, not all those who showed symptoms ended up with a positive result.

“So far, the symptoms being reported by positive students include fever (20 students), cough (19 students), congestion (17 students), headaches (17 students) and sore throats (12 students),” Hallmark said. “We have also had 14 students report being asymptomatic. Many others with these symptoms have tested negative. We know there is strep and an upper-respiratory bug going around as well.”