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During this holiday, reports of COVID cases around the world have risen significantly. The World Health Organization said just days ago that it was “very concerned” about rising cases in China as many countries are growing more concerned at the virus’ resurgence.
Just last week, Nuevo Leon implemented major COVID protocols with cases rising. Having a shared border with the Gateway City, the Laredo area obviously is keeping an eye on the situation at hand.
City of Laredo Health Director Richard A. Chamberlain applauded the decision by the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon in enacting the COVID-19 protocols, as he hopes it helps slow the further spread of the virus.
“It is important for us to always do as much as possible, within our legal realms, to ensure the public’s safety,” the health director said. “Great work by Nuevo Leon.”
Although he is happy to see Nuevo Leon’s health measures, he understands the same cannot be done in the state of Texas or even in the city of Laredo, as there are no legal grounds to do so.
“Unfortunately, mask mandates are not able to be implemented or enforced,” Chamberlain said. “Yet public health institutions, like us at Laredo Health, have already taken a proactive approach, community notification via social media and recommended using face masks in crowded indoor areas to prevent infection.”
The health director said he does not believe Texas will ever implement COVID protocols once again like the ones seen in Nuevo Leon. He said the city cannot even have mask mandates implemented or enforced due to legal obligations with the state.
However, Chamberlain is hopeful that if the city and state once again experience another significant infectious disease event, there will be a shift in policy to safeguard public health.
Terri Burke, executive director of The Immunization Partnership, does not believe the pandemic has ended. With that in mind, she implores people to get vaccinated and continue maintaining safety guidelines to avoid any potential infection of the virus.
Burke said people should not just protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus but also the flu and RSV, which are two other respiratory viruses that are infecting many Texans around the state.
In the meantime, Chamberlain does say his department has recommended the public use face masks as much as possible — especially in large indoor public areas.
“To ensure the highest level of personal protection, wearing a high-quality mask or respirator is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations to prevent infection and transmission,” Chamberlain said. “This action, coupled with being up-to-date with your vaccinations, will provide a higher level of protection.”
Based on guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Webb County’s COVID-19 risk level remains low. However, cases have climbed recently, as Chamberlain urges proactive steps to prevent further transmission such as vaccinations and face masks.
The threat remains classified as low as less than 10% of the population have the virus, according to CDC Community level models. Also, deaths in December are at zero and the hospitalization rate is just at 1.68%, with eight hospitalized as of Dec. 14 in total and four in ICU, three in general care and one ED hold.
The total number of deaths reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services in the area remains at 137. The total number of cases reported in 2022 are approximately 49,428 based on the data, and the total new confirmed cases reported in December by DSHS are at 431.
As for deaths in the last six months, it has dropped significantly to 31 with zero in the last 10-day total. However, in the past 10 days, there have been 508 confirmed and/or probable cases in the city alone.
Because of the continuing threat of the virus, the health director implores for people to get vaccinated if they have not or to get a booster shot if the time has come for them to get one.
“Absolutely, vaccines save lives,” Chamberlain said. “As of Dec. 9, 2022, CDC expanded the use of updated, bivalent, COVID-19 vaccines for children ages six months to 5 years. Everyone over the age of six months has access to the updated vaccine. Community members can access the COVID-19 vaccine with us at Laredo Health, through our mobile health clinics and numerous clinics and pharmacies around the city.”
Chamberlain also recommends that people get at-home tests for the virus in effort to make sure if they get sick of anything, it is not the virus.
“Use at-home COVID-19 tests to know your status to prevent transmission during upcoming festivities,” Chamberlain said. “The Biden Administration announced that COVIDTests.gov is open for a limited round of ordering this winter. Stay home if and when you are sick, use a face mask in crowded indoor areas, and most important get vaccinated. Have a safe and happy holiday!”
jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
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