Welcome to the official website designed to keep citizens of Waco & McLennan County updated on all aspects of the progress toward containment of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, in our area.
PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT
December 3, 2020: Since November 23rd, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area M as a percentage of the total hospital capacity has exceeds 15%, making this an area of high hospitalizations.
This is calculated by DSHS for Trauma Service Area M which includes Bosque, Falls, Hill, Limestone and McLennan Counties. Executive Orders GA 32 defines high hospitalizations as any Trauma Service Area that has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID 19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15 percent.
The formula for this metric is: Lab Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Currently in the Hospital divided by Total Hospitalizations Capacity.
- Lab Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Currently in the Hospital is the total number of patients in the hospital who have tested positive for COVID-19 by molecular test. This includes pediatric and adult COVID-19 patients.
- Total Hospitalizations is the number of patients receiving care in the hospital for any reason. This includes pediatric and adult hospital patients.
Executive Order GA-32 allows restaurants and other venues to reopen at 75% capacity and allows elective surgeries if the hospitalization rate in Trauma Service Areas (TSA) with a COVID 19 hospitalization rate under 15% over a seven-day period. If the hospitalization rate goes over 15% for seven consecutive days, venue capacity will be lowered to 50% and elective surgeries will be postponed until further notice. More information on GA-32 may be found at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/ga3031/.
- Wear a mask.
- Watch your space. Keep a 6ft distance between you and other people.
- Avoid non-essential activities outside of your home.