Nueces County health officials report Omicron surge, urge testing and boosters; county retains ERAP funding for non-city residents

County public health staff and the Nueces County Office of Emergency Management presented an Omicron-status briefing at the Jan. 26 commissioners court, showing sharp increases in case counts and positivity in January and describing current testing and vaccination operations.

The health presenter said the first County Omicron case was identified Dec. 14 and reported that, as of Jan. 20, the county was recording higher daily averages and positivity rates that peaked in mid-January. "As of January 20th, we had 1,581 positive cases in our community," the presenter said. Hospitalizations were rising as well; county health briefers reported about 199 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the region and that hospitals had expanded ICU capacity.

Officials emphasized vaccination and testing availability: the presenter noted about 30,000 booster doses had been administered and listed recurring testing sites (Memorial, Richard and Borchard Fairgrounds, Port Aransas locations, and drive-through clinics). A county COVID clinic phone number (361-826-8019) was shared for residents seeking clinical follow-up, including telehealth and, when needed, portable X-rays.

Separately, Maria (county staff) clarified Emergency Rental Assistance Program status after a city announcement: the City of Corpus Christi closed its ERAP portal to new applications, but "the county's program is still up and running," Maria told the court. She said the county had distributed about $600,000 in rental and utility assistance and had approximately $800,000 remaining to award to applicants outside the city limits.

Commissioners asked about treatment thresholds and when patients should seek hospital care. Public health staff recommended monitoring oxygen saturation (target >92%) and contacting the county COVID clinic if clinical care is needed; staff also noted they remain limited by supply constraints for monoclonal antibodies and testing supplies.

The court asked staff to circulate the slide deck and to post clear public messaging about testing locations and ERAP eligibility so residents outside Corpus Christi know county resources remain available.

Next steps: county and health district will continue weekly reporting to the court, keep testing and booster clinics running, and circulate the clinic phone number and weekly testing schedules to the public.