For the second straight week, Southeast Texas officials reported a downward trend in positive COVID-19 cases, along with a drop in hospitalizations, but still urge caution and vaccination ahead of the impending holiday season and the gatherings it entices.
“The numbers are going in a positive direction, thank the lord,” said Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, referring to the area’s COVID-19 trend. “Saturday, Sunday, Monday we had a total of 30 new positive cases in Jefferson County and one death. We’re hopeful that those downward trends continue.”
According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Golden Triangle confirmed 251 COVID-19 cases in the week ending Oct. 20, reporting 294 the week before. Jefferson County has confirmed 31,476 positive cases since the pandemic began, along with 677 deaths. Orange County has confirmed 5,398 cases and 276 deaths, while Hardin County has reported 4,204 positive cases and 204 deaths.
“Last week, we had some good news about the major decline in cases,” said Beaumont Public Health Director Kenneth Coleman. “We are still continuing on that track, so things are looking good. What we see in our COVID report is that even though our numbers are going down, which is a great thing, what’s common and consistent is that the unvaccinated are the ones at risk. That’s why we want to encourage people to get vaccinated, not just to protect ourselves, but to protect the most vulnerable among us.”
Coleman cited Beaumont COVID statistics that reveal the city’s health department confirmed 253 new cases two weeks ago, but only 193 over the last week ending Oct. 19. Meanwhile, Jefferson County’s weekly deaths dropped from 15 to five.
“But what’s concerning is the number of school-aged kids testing positive,” he warned. Coleman said the weekly percentage of children among covid positives jumped from 24% to 26%. Additionally, Beaumont had 51 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 last week, with 94% of them unvaccinated. There were 15 people on ventilators, with no one vaccinated among that group.
The drop in positives has intuitively corresponded with a decline in the number of infusions being offered to mitigate the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. The Regional Infusion Center administered approximately 29 infusions Monday and Tuesday, according to Jefferson County Emergency Management Director Mike White. The center was serving an average of 150 patients a day just two months ago. White said the infusion center rate of serving between 10 and 20 patients a day is in line with the county’s positivity rate.
Despite the significant drop in infusions administered, White and other officials have asked the state to allow them to operate the regional center through the holiday season – to prepare for any potential surge in positive cases.
“The holiday season is approaching, and we want to gather and we want fellowship with our families,” Coleman said. “But let’s be wise, and let’s be smart. If we’re going to be around a crowd of people, and we don’t know they’re vaccination status, we need to continue to wear our masks and social distance.”
Where to get vaccinated
According to the DSHS vaccine map, local doctors and public officials, dozens of Southeast Texas locations are offering the free COVID-19 vaccine. Pharmacies like Walmart, Kroger, CVS and Walgreens all carry vaccine doses, as well as area HEB and Market Baskets. In all, there are at least 50 locations offering the free vaccine within 25 miles of Beaumont.
Those locations, along with the Beaumont Health Department, have started administering booster shots for eligible parties. Those currently eligible for a booster of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine include: people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care, people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions, people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions and people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.
In an Oct. 20 announcement, the FDA approved emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 booster doses of the Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines. Additionally, the FDA approved the use of each available COVID-19 vaccine as a heterologous booster, effectively okaying the “mixing and matching” of boosters with the original doses.
“Any Texan who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 because of safety or other concerns can be assured that the authorized vaccines are safe and effective,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “The data gathered shows the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks of rare side effects. Most importantly, vaccination is proven to greatly increase our protection against severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and even death.”