Official: Covid cases on the rise in the RGV

RAYMONDVILLE, TEXAS – Covid 19 cases are on the rise in Texas and in the Rio Grande Valley as well and the surge is being attributed to the Delta variant.

A health official with the Texas Department of State Health Services recommends people to be on alert and to follow the previous guidelines issued since the outbreak was reported back in 2020.

TDSHS Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford, said the new variant is more transmissible and has been spreading like crazy throughout the communities.

 Any recommendations?

“If you are ill, you should stay at home,” she said. “If you are immunocompromised, then be careful around people.”

Shuford recommends people wear a mask and to keep a distance as some of these things do help decrease transmissions.

People should also be up to date with their Covid vaccines, she said.

Shuford is in the Rio Grande Valley where she is visiting with health officials at the Willacy and Cameron sites of Operation Border Health Preparedness.

The week-long event began Monday, July 22, and will end Friday, July 26, and is an annual exercise to prepare the region in case something catastrophic happens.

OPHP is now in its 25th year and it’s going on at the four RGV counties and in Webb County as well.

The program offers a variety of free health screenings for people of all ages, including vaccines, dental, vision and hearing checkups.

The RGV Food Bank is also distributing food.

In addition to that, the Willacy County site is offering veterinarian services provided by a 65-member team from the Texas A&M University. The Willacy County site is at Raymondville High School at 601 FM 3168.

So far, close to 300 cats and dogs have received preventive care as of Wednesday.

Editor’s Note: Click here to learn where all the sites are for this summer’s Operation Border Health Preparedness.

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