Beaumont confirms nearly 400 new COVID cases Dec. 30

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  • COVID vaccinations are available at a number of local medical facilities
    COVID vaccinations are available at a number of local medical facilities
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After averaging more than 100 new COVID-19 cases each day over the past week, the Beaumont Public Health Department confirmed 394 confirmed COVID-19 cases Thursday, Dec. 30.

There are 68 COVID-positive hospitalizations in Jefferson County, according to a news release, with 49 unvaccinated and five on ventilators.

“We went from having five or 10 a day three weeks ago to averaging over 100 a day, so we’re seeing a huge spike,” Beaumont Public Health Director Kenneth Coleman told The Examiner. “We’re seeing such a huge spike across the nation, and the Omicron variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant. Right now, the Omicron variant is the dominant variant in the country, so I wouldn’t doubt that it’s here.”

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.