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Lubbock's COVID-19 hospitalizations down, but caution still needed over holidays

Centers for Disease Control

After two months of being considered a region with a high rate of COVID-19 patients, Lubbock hospitals are starting to see some relief. 

 

 

Staffed hospital beds have been in short supply this month. Lubbock’s two hospital systems reported no available beds the first two weeks of December. The worst day was Dec. 11, when 22 patients were in need of a hospital bed, according to city data. 

The situation has improved since Dec. 14. The most recent report shows 14 available beds.

 

Hospitalizations in Lubbock peaked at the end of November when 360 patients were sick with the virus. As of Tuesday, there were 245 COVID-19 patients.

 

Lubbock Health Authority Dr. Ron Cook could not pinpoint the exact reason for the turn, but said at a news conference Monday that he hopes it continues. He noted Lubbock did not experience a considerable increase in coronavirus diagnoses after Thanksgiving, as was feared. 

 

“I think we did a pretty good job after Thanksgiving and maybe keeping some of our groups small,” Cook said. “We must continue. We don’t need to bump our numbers back up.” 

 

Lubbock healthcare workers are also receiving the emergency-authorized coronavirus vaccines. The City of Lubbock is expected to receive thousands of more doses this week or the next. 

 

The medical hub is not out of the woods yet. More than 20% of hospital patients in Lubbock’s 22-county trauma service region have tested positive for the coronavirus, still above the 15% threshold the state is monitoring. Lubbock’s area has been above that line since Oct. 19, according to Texas Tech Public Media archives.

 

The city this month surpassed the tragic milestone of more than 500 citizens lost to complications of COVID-19. More than 140 people have died just this month and 151 people died in November.

 

The City of Lubbock has reported an average of around 340 new coronavirus diagnoses a day in December. That’s compared to an average of near 426 cases a day in November. 

 

Lubbockites are asked to continue with COVID-19 prevention measures through the week of Christmas and New Year - stay home or at least keep groups to no more than 10 people, wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands.

 

Have a news tip? Email Sarah Self-Walbrick at saselfwa@ttu.edu. Follow her reporting on Twitter @SarahFromTTUPM.

 

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