More than 4,400 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Lubbock in September, the highest number of positive diagnoses in a single month since the pandemic hit the city in March.
The city reported between 200 and 300 new daily cases seven days of the 30-day month.
“This daily case-count number is similar to what they’re seeing in large metropolitan areas," said City of Lubbock Health Director Katherine Wells. "It is very high for Lubbock.”
Twenty-nine people died from complications of the virus in September. Hospitalizations and the testing positivity rate are also up, concerning local leaders.
Earlier in the month, officials attributed case spikes to returning college students. Wells said the disease is now spreading in other age groups. Contact tracers have found recent outbreaks tied to travel, workplaces and nursing homes.
“High case numbers mean we have uncontrolled community spread," Wells said at a Wednesday news conference. "And this means we are now seeing more cases in our vulnerable populations.”
Lubbock Health Authority Dr. Ron Cook says “COVID fatigue,” feeling tired of the recommended precautions to slow the spread of the virus, is likely causing this explosion of cases.
Cook and Wells pleaded with Lubbockites to return to those measures – limit social interactions, distance from others and wear a mask.
Have a news tip? Email Sarah Self-Walbrick at saselfwa@ttu.edu. Follow her reporting on Twitter @SarahFromTTUPM.
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Have a news tip? Email Sarah Self-Walbrick at saselfwa@ttu.edu. Follow her reporting on Twitter @SarahFromTTUPM.
If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support local non-profit journalism. Thanks for donating today.
