Here are the latest numbers reported to Marsha Hardy on 9-10-2021 per the Department of State Health Services [DSHS] for San Saba County:
1. New Confirmed and Probable Cases entered on 9-09-21: 3
2. Confirmed Cases Reported since 8-26-21: 17
3. Confirmed Cases Reported since 8-10-21: 48
So, in the last 30 days, San Saba County has reported 48 cases of Active Covid-19; with 17 of them being reported in the last 15 days (3 of these since Thursday, September 9th).
Message by Dr. Craig Whiting -
The whole world is searching for an effective, accessible, affordable treatment for COVID-19. There have been claims for several treatments, but the evidence of effectiveness is often lacking. Most of the claims are only supported by “word of mouth” evidence, what is called “anecdotal” evidence. That is stories about individuals rather than evidence from large studies. Anecdotal evidence is less reliable than evidence gleaned from carefully run studies. Over the past many months, claims have been made for a number of treatments that have not proven to be effective.
But there is positive news about treatments. Some medicines, based on imitating the body’s own ability to fight infection, are being used with good success. These medicines are called “monoclonal antibodies.” Antibodies are the natural defense that our bodies make to fight off infection. Monoclonal simply means that the antibodies are formed from one source. Using antibodies to fight disease is not a new concept. For many years, antibodies have been used to fight some hard-to-treat illnesses like hepatitis, rabies and even some cancers. Today, these treatments are used to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19. They are given by IV (intravenous) administration over a few days.
There is also a treatment available for patients not requiring hospitalization. It is named remdesivir, and it works a little differently to fight the COVID-19 virus. It interferes with the virus’ ability to reproduce itself in our bodies. It is administered as an injection, either as an IV like the monoclonal antibodies, or like a regular injection into your arm or thigh. There is no cost to receive remdesivir; it is provided for free, though you do need to go to a center where the medicine is being administered. This treatment is available in many facilities in our region including Austin, Marble Falls, Llano and Brownwood. More treatment locations are being made available as the medicine becomes more available. Contact your primary care provider to learn more about this treatment.
As always, we would rather prevent COVID-19 than try to treat the infection, and the best prevention we have right now is the vaccines.