COVID-19 seeing surge in RGV

SAN PERLITA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise once again in the Rio Grande Valley.

With school back in session, local health officials and doctors are seeing more kids come down with the virus.

Last week, San Perlita Independent School District canceled its classes due to several students and staff testing positive for the virus. Many people within the community say the district made the right call and called the cancellations a good precaution to take.

“You got people coming from out of town and stuff like that and you don’t know what they have or where they have been, so you have to protect yourself, and if you don’t and you get it, then it becomes a problem," said Dale Gregory, a local store clerk.

Gregory continues to fear the virus as he wears his facemask and attends to customers behind glass.

Cameron County Health Authority Dr. James Castillo says numbers continue to rise; however, most people do not suffer the serious symptoms of the disease.

“There's definitely new strains," Castillo said. "There's a bunch of new ones. You know, before we had the, you know, everybody remembers the delta and then the omicron now it's gone into the letters k. So like k something, are the new strains that are that are really circulating, and the updated vaccine should offer more protection against those strains.”

Dr. Andrew Phillips is the chief of quality at DHR Health. He says they have seen more people come in with the virus but no hospitalizations due to it directly.

Phillips says practicing good hygiene when it comes to sneezing or coughing can make all the difference. Especially, as the virus stays active in surfaces for extended periods of time.

“It depends on whether it is indoors or outdoors, whether it is COVID or not but it can definitely, it can last hours to days," Phillips said.

Phillips says staying up to date on your vaccinations is the best way to protect yourself. Especially as new strains continue to pop up.

Health officials say the COVID-19 vaccine can provide immunity for months and also help prevent serious complications from the virus for years.