Snyder Officials Warn of Covid-19 Surge in Local Hospital

SNYDER  – Officials in Snyder are warning residents of the significant increase in hospitalizations as the "COVID situation...continues to deteriorate."

According to the Snyder Office of Emergency Management, over 70 percent of the medical patients currently admitted at Cogdell Hospital have tested positive with COVID-19. 

In the past week, the hospital reported 94 percent of COVID admissions were unvaccinated patients. Approximately 40 percent of the population in Scurry County has been vaccinated.

According to officials, "the hospital is still extremely limited on the ability to transfer any patients to regional medical facilities for a higher level of care. These facilities are full of COVID patients, and closed to transfers."

Children continue to test positive at an alarming rate in Snyder. This time last year, the population group most impacted were the elderly. While they remain susceptible this year, 85% of the population testing positive is 55 years old and younger, with the '30s to 50's being the hardest hit. School-age children are becoming infected at a much higher rate this year than last year as well.

In the last seven days, the number of people testing positive for the virus has nearly doubled in Snyder – including 68 school-age kids testing positive.

"This time last year with the original strain of COVID, 11 days into the school year, some 8 students had been sent home with symptoms. 11 days into this current school year, over 100 have been sent home," said the department in a Facebook post. Many of these students are testing positive with symptoms of body aches, coughing, fever, and runny nose."

"Of the people who are in the know in Scurry County, our Doctors, our Nurses, our known and trusted health care professionals, reports continue to come out at every briefing that those who are unvaccinated are having much more severe reactions to the virus as opposed to those who are vaccinated, and the hospital numbers are what they are, 94% of people who require hospital admission are unvaccinated," explained the department.

"The Snyder Office of Emergency Management encourages everyone to do what we all know helps control the spread of any germs, good personal hygiene, stay home if you feel sick, social distancing, and there are undoubtedly some benefits to wearing masks when in close contact with people. Healthcare professionals across the country are encouraging people to be vaccinated as the vaccinated population is faring much better than the unvaccinated at this time. Please do what you can to help."