Baylor Scott & White Medical Center reports increase in Covid-19 cases

MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (KXXV) — Baylor Scott & White Medical Center is treating several patients for respiratory illnesses, but has seen a recent increase in Covid-19 cases.

• Covid-19 cases are increasing among children and adults
• According to a Baylor Scott & White pediatrician, the increase in cases is faster than expected – in past years, a rise in cases typically occurred in September or October
• A new strain of Covid-19 has emerged, but is no more severe than the other strains

TRANSCRIPT OF THE MISSION:

“All summer we have seen respiratory viruses of various etiologies as well as rhinoviruses and enteroviruses,” said Baylor Scott & White pediatrician Cessley Marsellus.

Marsellus says they have seen an increase in Covid-19 cases – which is unusual for this time of year.

“It usually peaks in September or October, but we’re seeing it now,” she said.

“We must start taking these measures now to protect ourselves from anything that can happen to us.”

Since the number of cases started rising earlier, Marsellus said it is expected that there will be significantly more cases in the fall, but there is no reason to panic.

“I would say we are in a much better position than we were during the pandemic, so we don’t have to worry about that,” she said.

“We have a lot of tools to fight Covid if it occurs.”

25 messages asked Waco ISD if they had seen an increase in Covid-19, and officials said they had seen some cases within the district, but more students with stomach flu.

McLennan County Health Services says it hasn’t had numbers since it stopped tracking Covid-19 cases in March 2023. But just because it’s stopped tracking them doesn’t mean a new virus variant can’t emerge.

“That’s why it’s important to get an up-to-date vaccine, because these strains change and you don’t have the same immunity as before,” Marsellus said.

She also says that a new strain is no more serious than the other strains and that a new vaccine against this strain should be available around September or October.

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