Delta variant arrives in Ector County

Nine cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant virus have been confirmed in Ector County, a news release from Medical Care Health System has confirmed.

News of the Delta variant was confirmed for the period of June 21 to June 29, according to MCHS Director of Public Relations Trevor Tankersley. Tests are conducted in Austin and take about two weeks for results to be reported back to reporting communities.

>> 7 of those patients were treated at ER and released

>> 1 was admitted to hospital for 2 days

>> 1 was tested at one of our clinics and admitted to hospital 5 days later

“I do not know if any of the COVID-positive inpatients we have currently are the Delta strain,” Tankersley stated in Tuesday’s news release. “Any test results for current patients would still be pending as we await the results from the state.”

The news arrives as Ector County is reporting a spike in COVID-19 cases since the Fourth of July holiday.

As of Sunday, there were a reported 163 active COVID-19 cases in Ector County, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. One COVID-19 related death has been reported during the past two weeks.

MCHS on Monday morning reported 15 COVID patients in-house. Four of those patients were in critical care, 2 patients are on ventilators and 1 was in pediatrics.

Five of the COVID-positive patients are from outside of Ector County – 1 from Alpine, 1 from Andrews, 1 from Balmorhea, 1 from Crane, 1 from Big Spring.

Medical Center Health System President and CEO Russell Tippin on Monday said health officials believe the recent s spike is due to Fourth of July gatherings, more people traveling and people socializing more throughout the community.

Tippin said he is hopeful that cases will begin to decrease again in the next couple weeks.

“People need to keep reminding themselves to wear masks and wash their hands frequently,” Tippin said. “Do not sleep on COVID. It’s still out there.”