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Jefferson County emergency Management Director Mike White told The Examiner that Southeast Texas' Beaumont-based Regional Infusion Center has been operating at full capacity over the last several days, upping their daily treatments from 15 to 60. To manage the influx of patients, White said the center will be open on Christmas and New Year's weekend, and the county requested more financial support from the state.
In a continued urge to Southeast Texas residents to get vaccinated and remain vigilant, local doctors say the Omicron variant is already spreading rapidly throughout Southeast Texas – a region with a 49% vaccination rate among eligible citizens. More than 200 people in Jefferson County have tested positive in the week ending Dec. 22., and, in response, antibody treatment centers have opened through weekends, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
“The best protection against COVID is still getting fully vaccinated,” said Dr. Gary Mennie, chief medical officer at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas. “If you are fully vaccinated, I also encourage you to get your booster. As this new variant approaches, also protecting yourself and loved ones with good hand hygiene and wearing a mask when in populated areas can help mitigate the spread of Omicron.”
According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Jefferson County confirmed 249 COVID-19 cases from Dec. 15 to 22, while Orange County confirmed 12 and Hardin County confirmed 13. Jefferson County has confirmed 539 new cases since the beginning of December. Beaumont confirmed 149 cases Dec. 22 and 97 for Dec. 18, 19 and 20.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for anyone 5 or older, while those 18 and older are eligible for all three vaccine varieties, including the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen doses. When it comes to searching for a vaccination location, Southeast Texans have numerous options from local pharmacies to national chains.
The Vidor Brookshire Brothers will accept walk-in applicants, while national chains like CVS and Walgreens ask customers to call or register online. In Beaumont, the vaccine is available at four CVS locations, all five Walgreens, both H-E-B stores, King’s Pharmacy, Walmart and each Kroger location. Groves vaccine appointments can be made at Bruce’s Pharmacy and Walgreens. The Magnolia Avenue Market Basket is also offering vaccine doses. Lumberton-bound vaccine seekers can find doses at the Brookshire Brothers on Main Street, although the store asks residents to call ahead. Lumberton’s Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and King Pharmacy locations all offer vaccine doses.
The Beaumont Public Health Department is also administering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment only, and applicants can register online at beaumonttexas.gov. Those who are unable to access the website are asked to call (409) 550-2536 for further assistance. This covers citizens in Hardin, Jefferson, Jasper, Newton and Orange counties.
“Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging,” reads a CDC report on the Omicron variant. “Scientists are currently investigating Omicron, including how protected fully vaccinated people will be against infection, hospitalization and death.
“Masks offer protection against all variants, and the CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.”
Hardin County Health Services is also providing drive-thru vaccinations and COVID testing across the street from the Kountze courthouse, according to Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel.
“You do not have to exit your vehicle to be tested or get your shot,” he said. “This week, they will be open today through Wednesday from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m., closing Thursday and Friday to observe the Christmas holidays. They will serve anyone who wants/needs a test or vaccine, no matter where you reside. No appointment is necessary.”
McDaniel reported that COVID cases in Hardin County have remained below 100 active cases over the past number of weeks, adding, “Last Tuesday, we had 26 active cases, and for the first time in many months, there were no Hardin County residents admitted in local hospitals due to COVID.”
The SETX Regional Infusion Center remains open, providing monoclonal antibody infusions to those who test positive for COVID in order to keep them from becoming critically ill. Those who test positive for COVID should immediately seek infusion as soon as possible thereafter, according to doctors and health officials. Call (409) 550-2536 to schedule, or ask a physician to assist with getting this set up.
According to a press release from the Orange County Emergency Management office, COVID and antibody testing with 24 hour results will be offered at the former Baptist Hospital location in Orange. Testing and vaccination appointments will be available Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Those in need of vaccination or testing can travel to 608 Strickland Drive in Orange to the front entrance drive thru, patients will remain in their vehicle. This site will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients are required to bring their driver’s license or identification card and, if insured, their insurance card. Patients without insurance can still be tested.
“Regardless of the vaccine, the recommendation is the same: If you start having symptoms, we start treating it aggressively,” said Dr. Qamar Arfeen, Beaumont Baptist Hospital’s COVID Unit Lead Intensivist.
That means, according to Baptist’s lead COVID doctor, immediately seeking monoclonal antibody treatment from one of the aforementioned sources.
“The Omicron variant has taken over the world very fast because it is an aggressive virus; some of the antibody infusion may not be effective if it isn’t administered quickly enough,” he said. “The common thread we are seeking in patients who have severe symptoms is that they are slow to seek medical treatment.”