SMITH COUNTY, Texas — Over the past seven days, the number of new cases of COVID-19 among persons who physically live within five of the counties covered by the NET Health Disease Surveillance Division is substantial.
The counties showing significant growth are:
- Gregg County
- Rains County
- Smith County
- Van Zandt County
- Wood County
“The NET Health 7-Day Rolling Rate of COVID-19 calculates the average number of all COVID-positive cases from the previous seven days, divides the total by the population of the county, then multiplies that answer by 100,000,” says George Roberts, NET Health CEO.
The final number is the 7-Day Rolling Rate and we have collaborated with local physicians and epidemiologists to provide weekly updates to the “Community Spread Levels” infographic.
“The community needs to know that new COVID-19 infections are dramatically increasing in our area," said Roberts. "We need everyone’s help, especially with the upcoming holiday seasons."
The "Community Spread Levels" infographic provides a weekly overview, but caution is advised within any interpretation of the infographic. All populations within each county should refer to NET Health’s COVID-19 website and our social media accounts that will feature subject matter experts who will further explain the intended uses of this risk assessment that will be updated each week.
“The infographic is intended only to provide situational awareness for organizations and entities,” says Russell Hopkins, the NET Health Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness. “The COVID-19 Community Spread Levels infographic should not serve as the only informational source for decision making processes related to the safety of a specific neighborhood, population, business, and/or geographic mix of East Texas residents.”