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Active cases of COVID-19 rose slightly Monday in Gregg County as public health officials released new data that show fewer new cases and a reduced rate of community spread of the virus.

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As the contagious omicron variant spreads through East Texas, local drugstores have been in short supply of at-home COVID rapid tests and testing clinics are often backed up for several days until an appointment can be made. With the high demand, it's become difficult for East Texans to get a fast answer on if they have the virus. Local emergency rooms have reported a “rapid influx” of patients who just want to know, "Do I have COVID or not?"

Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in Texas on Thursday began dispensing the authorized COVID antiviral medication, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, in Texas through the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Therapeutics Program. Select Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies are receiving limited supplies of the COVID-19 antiviral medication, which can only be obtained with a prescription from a healthcare provider.