BEAUMONT, Texas — The Port Arthur Health Department reported Thursday the deaths of five more residents related to the coronavirus in Port Arthur and Nederland.
The deaths included two Port Arthur men in their early 70s as well as two women and a man from Nederland according to a news release rom the City of Port Arthur.
The Nederland man was in his late 70s, one woman was her late 60s and the other was in her late 80s the release said.
The health department has now reported 57 deaths in Port Arthur and 21 in Nederland related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began early last year.
On Wednesday Southeast Texas reported 177 new coronavirus cases and 29 new deaths.
27 of the deaths came from weekly reports, so not all of the deaths happened on Wednesday only.
154 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Southeast Texas as of Jan. 20.
Jefferson County reported 172 new cases and two deaths. 103 new cases were reported in Beaumont and 12 new cases coming out of Port Arthur.
Groves reported 3 new cases. Port Neches reported 6, and Nederland reported 10. Liberty County reported 30 new COVID-19 cases.
12News is keeping track of positive cases in eight Southeast Texas counties including Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, and Tyler Counties.
There are five Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison units in Southeast Texas. Numbers for the Gist, LeBlanc and Stiles Units in Jefferson County, the Goodman Unit in Jasper County and the Lewis Unit in Tyler County are not included in our graphs.
Here's a look at COVID-19 numbers in Southeast Texas prisons...
12News is receiving data direct from local counties and local health departments as well as the State of Texas.
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
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Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.