County reporting 92% recovery rate from coronavirus

The Cherokee County Public Health Department has reported 167 confirmed active cases COVID-19 in the county, of which 54 are positive confirmed cases, according to data released Dec. 3 by the agency.

Overall, there have been a reported 2,618 confirmed cases in the county since mid-March, with the highest number – 1,315 – reported in Jacksonville. Collectively, there are 797 cases reported in Rusk: The largest group is comprised of Rusk citizens, or 451 reported cases, while Rusk State Hospital reported 107 cases and TDCJ has reported 239 cases.

Meanwhile, the latest data indicates that 92.47% of the total reported cases of the virus – 2,421 – primarily are recoveries.

The Texas Department of Health & Human Services most recent figures, released Wednesday evening – reflect 59 fatalities in Cherokee County, of which 27 are confirmed by local health officials.

Residents are advised to watch for the following symptoms that indicate a possible COVID-19 infection:

○ Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when taken by mouth;

○ Sore throat;

○ New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (or, for students with a chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline);

○ Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; or

○ New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever.

Individuals are encouraged to contact their physician if experiencing these symptoms in a way that is not typical.