The area of East Texas including Wood County is nearing one month of consecutive days when hospitalizations topped the 15% mark for COVID-19 patients.

The Trauma Service Area G which includes 18 surrounding counties surpassed that important threshold on Dec. 14 and has remained above it since, going as high as 25%.

Once the 15% mark was reached and sustained for seven days, businesses were required to scale back to 50% capacity, and bars were required to close.

To resume 75% capacity, the region must record seven straight days below the 15% threshold.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District also reports that community spread levels remain high for the virus, as measured by a rolling seven-day average of positive cases based on population. Moderate is considered 10 to 35 while above that is “substantial.” Wood County was at 56 in the latest calculation.

The latest case counts for the county as of Monday were 2,283 total cases including 1,304 confirmed and 979 probable. Probable cases are based on a positive antigen test.

New cases Monday totaled 37, with 21 confirmed. Total recoveries totaled 1,705 and active cases were 517.

Deaths were 61, although the state lists Wood County deaths from COVID-19 as 77.

The vaccine roll out continues. Information about signing up for the waiting list through NETHealth in Smith County can be found at mywoodcounty.net and at mynethealth.org.

Levels 1A and 1B are being serviced as vaccines are available.