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COVID-19 In DFW April 11-April 17: Texas Ranks 45th In The Country For Vaccination Rates

Syringes of the COVID-19 vaccines sit in a tray.
Jae C. Hong
/
Associated Press
Syringes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine sit in a tray in a vaccination room at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021.

But some places, like Dallas County, are starting to exhaust their vaccine waitlists, and more walk-up appointments are becoming available.

For the latest on the pandemic in North Texas, visit KERA News' COVID-19 Live Updates page.

Saturday, April 17

Dallas County Reports 292 New Cases, 11 Deaths

The 11 deaths reported Saturday give Dallas County a cumulative total of 3,794. Saturday’s deaths include people who ranged in age from their 40s to their 80s.

Tarrant County Reports 236 New Cases, 2 Deaths

The two deaths reported Saturday include a man from Fort Worth in his 60s and a man from Fort Worth in his 50s. Tarrant County now has a cumulative total of 3,373 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. County officials also report 246,668 people have recovered.

75 New Cases In Collin County

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports 75 new COVID-19 cases in Collin County today.

Walk-Up Vaccinations Available At Fair Park Today

Dallas County's Fair Park vaccination site is offering first and second doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine until 5 p.m. today. Officials say registration can be done on site, and no appointment is needed. Visitors are instructed to enter at Gate 10 or Gate 2.

More Than 6 Million Texans Fully Vaccinated

The latest reporting from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows 6,260,744 people are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That's nearly 28% of the state's population. Officials report 9,836,891 Texans have received at least one dose.

Friday, April 16

Dallas County Reports 152 Cases, 15 Deaths

The deaths reported Friday included people who ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s. All but one person had underlying high-risk health conditions, and one person was an individual who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but was immunocompromised and a candidate for an organ transplant.

The Fair Park vaccination site was closed Friday because of weather. It is expected to reopen Saturday.

Tarrant County Reports 234 Cases, Two Deaths

The deaths reported Friday include a man from Edgecliff Village in his 70s and a man from Fort Worth in his 60s. Both had underlying health conditions.

Tarrant County now has 3,371 confirmed deaths and 246,458 people have recovered.

Denton County Reports 125 Cases

Of the 125 cases reported on Friday, 96 are active cases. This increases the cumulative, countywide total to 73,207 cases. Denton County also reported 179 newly recovered cases of COVID-19, increasing the countywide recovery total to 68,490.

Dallas County Exhausts Waitlist — Same & Next-Day Vaccine Appointments Now Available

People can now make same-day or next-day first-dose vaccine appointments at either the Fair Park or The Potter's House hubs. Patients don't need an invitation and are not required to be registered on Dallas County's waitlist.

First-dose appointments at The Potter's House can be scheduled online or over the phone.

"With the vaccine supply increasing and the demand no longer keeping pace, we are entering the critical next phase of our efforts," Mayor Eric Johnson said. "If you are 16 or older and you have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine dose, the wait is over. It is your turn. "

In addition, people age 55 and older may now receive a COVID-19 vaccination without an appointment by going to Fair Park Gate 10 or Gate 2 with a photo ID during operating hours.

Anyone who previously registered for the wait list and has not yet been contacted to make an appointment should visit Dallas County's vaccination page to make an appointment at either site or call 1-855-IMMUNE9.

This change in the waitlist does not affect the process for receiving second doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. People should continue to wait for communication inviting them to make an appointment for second doses.

North Texas Area Community Health Centers Offer Free Vaccines This Weekend

North Texas Area Community Health Centers is offering 500 first-dose Pfizer vaccines to people 16 and older who have not received the vaccine yet. The clinic is first-come, first-served, and will take place at the Northside facility in Fort Worth, located at 2332 Beverly Hills Drive.

The clinic will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday and the following Saturday (April 24). People will need to bring an ID and an insurance card, if they have one.

Thursday, April 15

Hospitalizations Stall Statewide

Texas' steady decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations from their peak in January has stalled around 3,000 since late last month. Some public health experts warn the numbers could easily go back up if residents aren't careful.

Doctor Luis Ostrosky is chief of infectious diseases at UT's McGovern Medical School in Houston. He says hospitalizations would likely have continued declining if not for Spring Break and the governor lifting statewide pandemic restrictions.

"We're on cruise control, but at 100 miles per hour," Ostrosky said. "So we're not seeing any further gains and we risk actually losing everything we've gained so far."

Ostrosky adds new coronavirus variants could surge in Texas this summer —even with aggressive vaccination efforts underway.

A bill that makes virtual doctor’s appointments a permanent option in the state received initial approval in the Texas House Wednesday. Sarah Self-Walbrick of Texas Tech Public Media reports on complementary legislation that one advocate hopes will pass next.

Telemedicine May Be Here To Stay In Texas, But Many Don't Have The Internet Access To Take Part

House Bill 4 will make telemedicine appointments more accessible, but it doesn’t fix all barriers to the option. It’s estimated that more than 9 million Texans don’t have good enough internet to get through a virtual appointment.

Director of Connected Nation Texas Jennifer Harris says another bill heard in the legislature this week, House Bill 1715, would allow internet providers to connect to existing fiber lines owned by the Lower Colorado River Authority. to help improve internet connectivity for some rural Texans.

“I think it’s something that’s really smart that the state of Texas is looking at, to use some of our existing infrastructure,” Harris said.

Bill 1715 goes to a third read this week before it officially passes the house.

Dallas County Reports 202 Additional Cases

An additional 202 cases increases the total to 254,731. Of the cases reported today, 140 are confirmed. The county reported 21 deaths due to the virus today.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins urged residents to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are at a point now where we have more vaccine than we do people who are registered to get the vaccine. You may now come to Fair Park if you are 55 years or older without an appointment and without pre-registering and get a shot at any time that we are open."

Tarrant County Reports 282 New Cases

Another 282 cases were reported in the area, raising the total to 253,954. There have been 3,369 deaths and 246,231 people who have recovered from the virus in the area.

Denton County Has 53 New Cases

There are 53 new cases of COVID-19 in Denton County today, of which 35 are active cases. This brings the cumulative countywide case count to 73,082, including 479 deaths.

31 New Cases In Collin County

There are 31 additional cases in the area, bringing the total to 72,899. A total of 87,201 people have recovered from the virus in the area.

Wednesday, April 14

New Texas COVID-19 Cases Count Below Average, Deaths Average

A below-average number of new COVID-19 cases was reported Wednesday, while deaths matched the Texas’ average, according to state health officials.

Even with the addition of 160 previously unreported cases added to the 3,262 new cases reported Wednesday, the total fell well short of the seven-day rolling average of 3,699 computed by Johns Hopkins University researchers.

The 68 new COVID-19 deaths in Texas matched the seven-day rolling average calculated by Johns Hopkins.

The state estimated almost 64,552 active COVID-19 cases Wednesday, with 2,960 COVID-19 sufferers hospitalized in Texas Tuesday, the most recent total available.

One Texan in three has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, while one in five is fully vaccinated, according to the U.S, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

City Of Fort Worth To Open Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic Thursday

The city of Fort Worth and MedStar are partnering to open a pop-up community vaccine clinic on Thursday. Around 1,000 vaccines will be available for people 18 years and older.

The one-day event will be held at the North Tri-Ethnic Community Center at 2950 Roosevelt Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76106 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The clinic is available for on-site registration, but community members are encouraged to preregister here.

City Of Dallas Relaunches Home Vaccination Program

The City of Dallas and the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas are relaunching their in-home vaccination program next Monday with plans to use the Moderna vaccine. All residents who were scheduled to receive in-home shots this week will be rescheduled for next week.

Previously, the program was postponed after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration sent out joint guidance, recommending that state vaccine providers pause distribution of Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Blood clots have been reported in six people around 6-13 days after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. No cases have been reported in Texas.

Dallas County: 285 New Cases & 20 More Deaths

Of the 285 new COVID-19 cases in Dallas County today, 224 have been confirmed. This brings the cumulative countywide total to 254,591 cases —3,747 Dallas County residents have died due to COVID-19.

Those whose deaths were reported today ranged in age from their 50s to their 80s. All had underlying health conditions.

The county reports, of all confirmed cases requiring hospitalization to date, more than two-thirds have been under 65 years of age.

During the past 30 days, there were 1,110 COVID-19 cases in school-aged children and staff reported from 351 separate K-12 schools in Dallas County.

270 New Cases In Tarrant County

There are 270 additional cases in the area, raising the total to 253,672. Another 3,365 county residents have died and 246,050 people have recovered from the virus in the area.

Denton County Reports 102 Additional Cases

An additional 102 cases brings the total to 73,030. Of the cases reported today, 49 are active. There are 131 newly-recovered cases in the area, increasing the countywide recovery total to 68,113.

Public Health Director Says He’s Concerned About Tarrant County’s Slowing COVID-19 Decline

Tarrant County Public Health Director VInny Taneja said he's concerned about a slowdown in the decline of COVID-19.

“With hospitalizations, we've kinda hit a bottom and for the last three weeks or so, we're not going any lower, we're just staying at that level, which could mean trouble ahead,” he said.

Taneja said Tarrant County residents should continue taking precautions to prevent another spike in cases by avoiding large crowds, wearing masks and washing hands.

Dallas County Jail To Resume In-Person Visitation Monday

In-person visits to the Dallas County Jail will resume on Monday, more than a year after officials barred visitations because of the pandemic.

Eligible inmates can have one 15-minute visit with an adult per week.

Video visitations that began last year will continue and won't count towards a person’s in-person visits. Visitation booths will be sanitized between visitors and social distancing and masking is required.

Tuesday, April 13

City Of Dallas Postpones Home Vaccination Program

The city of Dallas and the Visiting Nurses Association of Texas have postponed in-home vaccination efforts that were supposed to begin today.

Those efforts would have involved giving the Johnson & Johnson shot to homebound residents, but this morning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both recommended postponing distribution of that vaccine.

That's due to a handful of blood clotting incidents linked to the vaccine. The adverse reaction to the vaccine appears to be extremely rare and will be investigated.

Texas Halts Use Of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

The Texas Department of State Health Services is asking vaccine providers in the state to stop administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after reports of blood clotting incidents.

The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration put out a joint statement Tuesday, recommending that state vaccine providers pause distribution. Blood clots have been reported in six people around 6-13 days after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

DSHS said in a statement that the incidents appear to be “extremely rare,” but will be further investigated. Those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who experience severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath are encouraged to contact their healthcare providers.

Gov. Greg Abbott said while no blood clot cases have been reported in Texas, the state is taking precautionary measures. He encouraged Texans to continue signing up for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines:

“Vaccines are a crucial tool to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and remain the most effective way to combat the virus in our communities. I continue to encourage Texans who wish to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to sign up."

So far, more than 500,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in Texas.

Providers who have Johnson & Johnson vaccines are being asked to continue proper storage and to report any adverse reactions to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System.

Dallas County Reports 252 New Cases

An additional 252 cases have been reported in the county, bringing the total to 254,367. There were 21 deaths reported today.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins urged residents to continue signing up for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines following the federal government’s halting of Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

3 Deaths, 150 New Cases In Denton County

Another three deaths were reported today, including a Denton county man in his 50s, a Frisco man in his 70s and an Aubrey man in his 50s.

There have been 150 additional cases in the area, bringing the total to 72,928. Of the cases reported today, 127 are active cases.

Tarrant County Reports 191 New Cases

There have been 191 new cases in the area, raising the total to 253,402. A total of 3,360 deaths and 245,782 people have recovered from the virus in the area.

Monday, April 12

Dallas County Reports 416 Cases, Nine Deaths

The nine deaths give Dallas County a total fo 3,706. The deaths reported Monday included people who ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s, and all but one person had underlying high-risk health conditions, and three people lived at long-term healthcare facilities.

The vaccination site at Fair Park has given out 343,000 doses since January, and according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 51.2% of people 65 years and older are fully vaccinated in Dallas County as of April 11.

Tarrant County Reports 194 Cases, One Death

The death reported Monday was a man from Forest Hill who exceeded 90. He had underlying health conditions.

Tarrant County now has 3,357 confirmed deaths and 245,646 people have recovered.

Denton County Reports 196 Cases

Of the 196 cases reported Monday, 177 are active cases. Denton County has a total of 72,779 cases and 476 deaths.

About 19% Of Texans Are Vaccinated, 45th In The Nation

So far about 19% of Texans have been vaccinated — but that's still well below the national rate.

Texas ranks 45th in the country for the percentage of the population that's fully vaccinated. The number of daily doses allocated has been increasing, though, with about 280,000 shots given every day last week.

Vaccines also haven’t yet been approved for Texans under the age of 16, who make up about 23% of the state’s population.

Read More: A Timeline Of COVID-19's Spread In North Texas

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