Texas officials worry about COVID-19 vaccines as numbers worsen

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Top Texas officials again on Tuesday called on health care providers to administer more coronavirus vaccines, the same day the state reported that the proportion of Texans whose coronavirus tests returned positive reached levels that did not has been seen since a summer wave of cases that have overwhelmed some hospitals.

The state reported Tuesday that 163,700 Texans have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine. According to the Department of Public Health Services, approximately 1.2 million doses were given to providers across the state during the first three weeks since their arrival.

“A significant portion of the vaccines distributed in Texas can sit on hospital shelves, as opposed to being given to vulnerable Texans,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. said in a tweet Tuesday night.

This tweet came after health officials asked suppliers who received doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to immediately notify all eligible Texans, including people 65 and older, and those who have at least 16 with a qualifying medical condition. in te ent. The renewed push reflects a statement sent by Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas DSHS, to suppliers last week, ordering them to “administer their entire grant with all deliberate speed.”

“Dr. Hellerstedt made the statement today to make it clear to all providers that people over the age of 65 and people with medical conditions who are at greater risk of dying from serious illnesses due to COVID-19 are eligible to to receive vaccination now, “ said Douglas Loveday, spokesman. “The vaccine supply remains limited, but every week more vaccines are delivered to suppliers. It will take time to vaccinate everyone in the priority groups.”

Texas officials’ pressure on suppliers to administer more vaccines comes as The average COVID-19 positivity rate of seven days in Texas remained above 15% for one week, according to data released by the state on Tuesday. And the sustained rise in the rate comes one day after the state reported a record number of Texans hospitalized with the virus.

“We can expect an increase in the number of cases in the coming weeks, and not far behind the increase in cases will be hospitalizations and possible deaths,” said Angela Clendenin, an epidemiologist and biostatistician at Texas A&M University. . School of Public Health.

Clendenin said the rising positivity rate is likely due in part to a greater number of tests among people who are asymptomatic and those who have only mild symptoms.

The state reported Tuesday that 17.15% of molecular coronavirus tests have returned in the past seven days as confirmed cases. The average seven-day positivity rate has remained above 15% since December 22nd.

Abbott said in May that a sustained positivity rate of more than 10% was a cause for concern.

“If the positivity test is more than 10%, it’s one of the red flags we’re starting to look at,” Abbott said in a news release on May 5.

But in recent months, Abbott has repeatedly sworn off any new closures. Instead, he pointed to a state-wide mask mandate that remains in force and certain occupancy reductions that are caused when the proportion of COVID-19 patients in a region exceeds 15% of the hospital’s capacity for seven days. A Texas Tribune analysis found that the restrictions did not place much burden on health care systems in areas hardest hit by the virus.

“The Abbott government continues to rely on the data-driven hospitalization methods used by doctors and medical experts to inform, inform and direct the state’s ongoing efforts to mitigate COVID-19,” said Renae Eze, spokeswoman. “As some communities experience an increase in hospitalizations, the state of Texas is working closely with local officials to quickly provide the necessary resources to address these nails and keep Texans safe, including medical personnel and supplies.”

In September, the Texas DSHS began publishing a new version of the state’s positivity rate. It takes into account the date on which a test was administered, not when it was reported. The change in reporting revealed that the share was higher in the spring than originally announced.

Texas’ rising positivity rate is the latest in a series of measures that are raising public health experts, particularly amid the holiday season that could exacerbate a virus that is already spreading.

On Monday, the state reported that more Texans were hospitalized with the virus than at any point during the pandemic. And earlier this month, the state’s available intensive care beds fell to the lowest point. There were 11,775 people in hospitals and 653 available ICU beds on Tuesday.

Two weeks ago, Texas began vaccinating frontline health workers and residents and nursing homes, which was an important first step in the fight against the coronavirus. But experts estimate that it will take between six and nine months for the COVID-19 vaccine to become widely available.

‘Where we are today, it’s more important than ever to be extra vigilant about physical distance, mask wear, good hand hygiene and to avoid unnecessary travel and meetings with others outside our households until the vaccine is widely available and a significant number of people are vaccinated, ‘Clendenin said.

Mandi Cai contributed to this story.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University was a financial backer of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, non-party news organization funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of these.