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Iraan, a small oil town of 1,200 people in West Texas, has been hit so hard by the coronavirus pandemic that the entire town has essentially shut down, including the school district and local businesses.
“We had COVID before, but never on this scale,” resident Vicky Zapata told CNN.
According to Jason Rybolt, CEO of Iraan General Hospital, 119 people have been tested for the virus and 50 have tested positive over a two-week period in August – a positivity rate of 42%. Iranian Mayor Darren Brown told CNN: “This is very serious.”
Rybolt said he was “very worried about the community and” very worried about trying to make sure they have the health care they need. “
Rybolt added that at least one Iraan resident has been airlifted for out-of-state care due to the lack of available intensive care beds in Texas. He said: “It could be 12 hours (for people with coronavirus to get a bed). It could be 36 hours. You never know how long it’s going to take.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has continued to oppose a statewide mask mandate, as have many states in the United States. The number of intensive care beds available throughout Texas is extremely low; only 372 are available now, according to the latest state data. The closest hospitals to Iran are at least 160 km away.
Iraan-Sheffield Independent School District Superintendent Tracy Canter said in a public statement the school district had to shut down after just five days of classes because around a quarter of staff and 16% of students were infected or exposed to the coronavirus. .
With school postponed – without virtual lessons – until August 30, the city council buildings are closed and high school football, the city’s linchpin, is on hold.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas town shut down by COVID: Iran’s schools and businesses shut down
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