The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta has tabbed Jasper and Angelina Counties as “rapid risers”, citing a rapid increase in Coronavirus active case numbers. Jasper and Angelina are two of only eight Texas counties that fall into the category, while about 150 counties/parishes across the country are tabbed as rapid risers.
As of Monday, Jasper County Judge Mark Allen said Jasper County had 176 active cases, which down slightly from 181 on Friday.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths in Jasper County has risen. According to the Health District, we have now lost 40 citizens to the illness, while the death toll stands at 17 in Newton County, 13 in Sabine County, and 12 in Tyler County.
In our neighboring states, only one county in Oklahoma, one county in Arkansas, and one parish in Louisiana were deemed rapid risers by the CDC.
According to the CDC, being classified as a rapid riser county is based on a two-week period of new cases being diagnosed. Here in Jasper County, we fell into that category after our case numbers doubled from 91 a week ago to 181 as of Friday. Prior to that increase, our numbers had been as low as 12 on November 10th.
The other Texas Counties that fell into the rapid riser category are: Brazoria, Cherokee, Fayette, Hill, Kerr, and Kleberg Counties.
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