By Anita Miller

HAYS COUNTY – The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of 47 Hays County residents as of Aug. 31, and 18 of those deaths occurred during the month of August.

Hays County’s total number of infections rose by 503 last month, from 4,893 on Aug. 3 to 5,396, and the number of recoveries increased by 1,040, from 1,980 on Aug. 3 to 3,020 Aug. 31.

Statistics show that serious illnesses have dropped, from 23 people hospitalized on Aug. 3 to 15 at month’s end. The backlog...