With a rate of 111.8 new cases per 100000, Galveston County currently has the 2nd highest rate of COVID cases [out of 254 counties] in the state of Texas, which itself is doing horribly with a rate of 47.3 new cases per 100000. 52.4% of Galveston County residents have at least one dose of the vaccine, well below the national average of 59% of the population. ICU capacity is at 100% or at least close to it. Positive test rate is at 19.2%. Infection rate is at 1.37.
Too many head-scratching events have occurred in Galveston County since the start of the pandemic. Numerous events related to Go Topless Day at Crystal Beach. Galveston County officials defying an order of Governor Greg Abbott back in late 2020 and deciding not to enforce COVID-related business restrictions and mask mandates. An outbreak from Clear Creek Community Church camp. A fully vaccinated woman that died from COVID. A Dickinson city council official and conspiracy theorist, H Scott Apley, who passed away as a result of the Delta variant. Cruise ships experiencing Delta cases onboard.
With this happening:
"The numbers are really increasing dramatically," said Dr. Philip Keiser with the Galveston County Health District. "At the beginning of June, we had less than 20 people in the hospital. Now, we have over 100."
Keiser said he expects the number of positive cases this week to double from just last week.
"The ER's are full. The hospitals are full," he said. "People are lining up to get infusions to get the antibodies to keep them from getting too sick so that they end up in the hospital. It's not looking very promising right now. In fact, it's looking worrisome."
...Galveston County has decided to use American Rescue Plan funds for construction of the border wall. Galveston County judge Mark Henry believes that immigrants are the source of crime and disease in the region.
I can anticipate the Florida of Texas monicker being applied to Galveston County any day now.