Hidalgo County reports 15 new COVID-19 deaths, 471 new cases

The Hidalgo County COVID-19 death toll climbed to 1,145 as 15 more residents died Thursday from complications related to COVID-19.

The county also announced in a press release 471 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number of positive cases to 27,077 with 2,573 cases marked as active.

“My heart goes out to the families and friends that have lost a loved one,” Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said in a news release. “Please take precautions; this virus is real. The best way to prevent illness from COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet away from others if you must go out in public.”

Judge Cortez acknowledged that the number of positive cases has risen, but noted that much of this rise in numbers can be attributed to the Department of Health and Human Services clearing up a backlog in testing results that has arisen both locally and statewide.

520 people were released from isolation on Thursday, meaning that a total of  23,359 COVID-19 patients have been symptom-free for 10 days, including three days without a fever.

384 people remain in area hospitals with COVID-19 complications with 162 of them being treated in intensive care units.