COVID-19 cases in Texas and McLennan County are increasing as Governor Abbott continues to loosen social and economic restrictions across the state.
Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver, McLennan County Judge Scott Felton, and Dr. Jackson Griggs of the Family Health Center addressed their concerns about the increase in cases in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
"With each phase of the state's reopening, the first phase on April 27th, was followed by a rise and then a decrease. The second phase on May 18th was followed by a rise, and then the third phase on June 3rd was followed by a rise. All of these are not suprising, because you've got more people mixing together, but they're things that we need to continue to watch. And continue to bear in mind, that COVID-19 has not left McLennan County or the state of Texas or the United States or the planet Earth. We've got to continue to be vigilant as we go through this reopening so that we continue to keep people safe and be able to run an economy without taking too much risk," said Deaver.
According to Dr. Griggs, Texas is among the most concerning states in the country right now, as COVID-19 cases have risen to nearly 2,000 new cases per day.
McLennan County has also experienced rising case numbers, with the health district reporting three new cases Monday, six new cases Tuesday, and three more new cases on Wednesday.
Of those twelve patients, three are hospitalized and two are in critical condition.
Additionally, over five hundred cases are pending test results in McLennan County, with the health district expecting to see the results of those tests over the coming days.
Dr. Griggs urged community members not to equate the lessening of government restrictions happening across Texas with the lessening of our social responsibilities to one another.
"We have the freedom to choose whether to protect vulnerable members of our community or not. The restrictions from our government are, relative to other countries, small, and getting fewer and fewer. Which really leaves the impact of this disease, and ultimately the death toll - the death toll among our parents and grandparents and those who are friends who are chronically ill - it leaves the impact of the virus and the death toll in our hands. In this moment of freedom, our actions, which are obviously a reflection of our values, will show who we are as a people," said Griggs.
Mayor Deaver joined Dr. Griggs in urging that individuals and businesses continue to practice safety measures like social distancing, face covering, and sanitization, despite the spreading sentiment amongst many community members that precautions can be loosened.
"There's a strong desire for this pandemic to be over. I think everybody has cabin fever, everybody is ready to get out and see their friends and do things like it's over. And it's not. Unfortunately, we don't get to declare the pandemic over. We have to follow the science. It's really frustrating, because there are so many unanswered questions. But there are a few things that we know work. And the physical distancing, face coverings, and hand washing and sanitizing are the things that we know work. So for us to continue to have a successful economic rebound, without causing unbearable health aspects, we must continue to do those things. It's not political. It shouldn't be politicized. And it has been. But we've got to look past that, and look to how we can make our community stronger," said Deaver.
With KWBU News, I'm Sam Cedar.