'Lungs were on fire': COVID cases see a rise statewide, locally

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —  COVID-19 cases are rising across Texas and other parts of the country. Local data suggests numbers could be increasing in the Rio Grande Valley. Some doctors are also warning of a summer surge as the number of cases continues to climb.

Yvette Flores Cornejo from Sullivan City is recovering from the virus. She walked us through what she had gone through the past week.

“COVID is hitting hard again, so we gotta take care of ourselves," Cornejo said.

Cornejo has tested positive for COVID-19 four times in the past. This latest bout was not her worst, but it still landed her in the hospital with a strong sore throat and other symptoms.

“A very light cough, and then I started getting like a sore throat," Cornejo said. "The next day, I went to sleep. Almost all day, I couldn't wake up. I felt like my bones hurt. Then my ears started hurting, and my lungs felt tight. I felt like my lungs were on fire. So I had to go to the emergency because I couldn't stand the pain.”

Her case reflects a larger trend. Cameron County Health Authority Dr. James Castillo says COVID-19 cases are rising statewide, and local wastewater data supports that.

“There's been an increase of COVID in the state, probably locally," Dr. Castillo said. "But that's not showing up as increased hospitalizations or increased deaths. It's kind of what we would probably expect with the back-to-school, you know, end of the summer type of pattern.”

He says the virus continues to mutate, but strains have been milder, affecting mainly high-risk groups.

“I've still seen cases of patients who are elderly with multiple medical problems," Dr. Castillo said. "They have a lot of other issues going on, and they have COVID, and that might, you know, tip them over the edge.”

Cornejo now takes extra precautions like masking up and sanitizing regularly. Dr. Castillo says maintaining that level of hygiene is key to fending off the virus along with vaccination.

“Vaccines are probably the best way to offer protection," Dr. Castillo said. "Otherwise, it's hand washing, you know, good hygiene, you know, cover your cough and cold, cover your cough, cover your sneezes, throw away those tissues. But probably a lot on the hand washing side of things."

The current summer surge is expected to last a few more weeks, similar to what we’ve seen in past years. COVID vaccines are not generally recommended for children, but it's a case-by-case decision best made with their pediatrician.