Maverick County Records 317 COVID-19 Fatalities and 10,258 Confirmed Positive Cases After One Year
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2021
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), official COVID-19 tracker, reported on Thursday, March 11, 2021, that Maverick County sustained 317 COVID-19 related fatalities as of March 11, one year after the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States was recognized.
The joint City of Eagle Pass and Maverick County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reported on March 11, 2021 a total of 10,258 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Maverick County in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EOC also reported on March 11 that a total of 51,908 COVID-19 tests were administered with 41,504 negative results, 10,258 positive results, 9,126 recovered people, 899 active cases, 146 pending test results, and a positivity rate of infection of 19.8 percent during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EOC reported a total of 11,621 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Maverick County as of March 11.
While DSHS officially reports 317 COVID-19 fatalities in Maverick County, EOC only reports 233 fatalities, a difference of 84 less fatalities. EOC officials noted they have only received written documentation on 233 COVID-19 fatalities and is unaware of how DSHS reports 317 COVID-19 fatalities in Maverick County. DSHS has access to statewide records from all COVID-19 reporting entities.
COVID-19 afflicted Maverick County and its citizens extremely hard during the first year of the deadly pandemic. During late-July and August of 2020, Maverick County was listed by the New York Times as being No. 1 in the United States as having the highest percentage of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases based on population-size.
Recently in December 2020 and January 2021, Maverick County again rose to No. 2 in the United States according to the New York Times. Webb County, including Laredo, Texas, was listed as being No. 1 with COVID-19 positive cases during this period.
Currently, Maverick County is reporting significantly less confirmed positive COVID-19 cases since the devastating Winter Storm in Texas during February 14-20, 2021.
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott single-handedly lifted the face mask and all COVID-19 restrictions in the state effective March 10, 2021 after receiving poor marks on his handling of the catastrophic Winter Storm in Texas. Many Texas leaders criticized Abbott’s decision as being a “big mistake” and “premature.”
Maverick County public health officials caution local citizens not to let their guard down as COVID-19 remains within the community and encourage all eligible adults to get vaccinated with one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines.
Although Texas has now lifted all COVID-19 restrictions, Maverick County officials recommend people continue following the CDC Guidelines of wearing a face mask, wash hands regularly, use hand sanitizer regularly, practice social distancing of at least six feet, avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, limit travel to essential matters, and stay home.
