Health

Local officials report that 108 of the cases originated in a contracted detention facility in Hudspeth County.

Texas is already poised to break a record this year for the largest turnover in its congressional delegation in a single cycle – either because of voluntary retirements or reelection losses. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports that will hurt Texas’ ability to address its needs in Washington. And KTTZ's Mia Shephard reports on Covenant Children’s new Small Baby Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, designed for infants born before 30 weeks of gestation.

Lubbock City Council saw a presentation yesterday from Lubbock Public Health on services and expenses for patients who are not Lubbock County residents. Our Samantha Larned reports the information was requested in relation to the approval of the latest iteration of a long-standing referral agreement with a substance use treatment center in Plainview. And last night, District 4 representative Brayden Rose announced his resignation from the Lubbock City Council.

The Rio Grande Valley has one of the highest dementia rates in Texas — nearly double the national average — driven by risk factors such as cardiovascular disease.

Lubbock’s Alzheimer’s Football League returns for its fifth season, aiming to raise money for local research and caregiver support with partners like Texas Tech's Garrison Institute on Aging. Organizers hope to build on recent success and remind West Texans they’re not alone in facing the disease.

After a number of states have dealt different rulings in cases raised against the company behind the herbicide Roundup, the issue is heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Texas has the largest number of rural hospitals in the country. In the past decade, 14 of the state’s rural hospitals have closed and another 82 are at risk of closure, according to a recent report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. Despite funding challenges, some rural hospitals are continuing and even expanding services through community support.

The course includes examples of when abortion is permitted to protect the life of the patient, but many experts say the complications women face in pregnancy are impossible to capture in a brief presentation.

Just two weeks ago, West Texas was one of many regions hit by a snowstorm and sub-zero temperatures. Now, this week, Lubbock is experiencing highs in the 70s. Our Charley Maranville has more from a local expert on how these intense fluctuations impact your ability to stay healthy. Also following last month’s winter storm, KERA’s Avery Escamilla-Wendell reports that some Texans could see much higher electricity and gas bills.

The City of Lubbock continues to remind citizens not to touch wild birds, as officials report having collected more than 2,000 dead birds by the end of January. Here are avian flu facts to be aware of and ways to keep yourself and your pets healthy.