MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas — Waco and McLennan County health and government leaders are hosting their weekly press conference to provide updates on how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the county.
The press conference is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. and includes updates on case counts and any possible new developments ahead of the Christmas holiday.
Here are highlights from the meeting:
- Dr. Jackson Griggs said the county reported 160 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday afternoon for a total of 1,168 cases. He reported an additional five deaths Wednesday as well. From the total active cases, he said 124 patients are hospitalized with the virus and 23 are on ventilators.
- The total number of virus cases sit at 17,809 while total deaths have risen to 263.
- Griggs also reported that two people are hospitalized with flu.
- Hospitals are still able to accommodate more COVID-19 patients as needed as well as those who might need ventilators, Griggs said.
- There are 17 outbreaks among long-term care facilities, with a total of 95 infections and just over 100 total deaths.
- Fifteen cases remain active in the county jail.
- The county's positivity rate remains high at 15 percent, Griggs said.
- The month of December has exceeded the number of virus deaths per month than any previous month.
- Griggs said that current hospitalizations with holiday gatherings could lead hospitals to exceed capacity by mid-January.
- The Family Health Center is receiving 100 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for frontline workers, Griggs said.
- Brian Becker with Ascension Providence said just over 1,100 frontline workers have received the vaccine and the hospital is now reaching out to smaller practices to get frontline workers there vaccinated if they desire.
- Becker said the ICU has been exceeding 100% capacity recently and has patients in alternate designated sites at the hospital. He said the hospital has also received help from FEMA in the form of frontline workers who are helping for 30 days along with other workers.
- Becker said the hospital has curtailed elective surgeries for the next few weeks in order to continue accommodating patients.
- Dr. Ahmad with Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest said the hospital fluctuates some days between 90 and 95 percent occupancy.
- Ahmad said Hillcrest is still finishing up vaccinations of frontline workers at the hospital.
- Stephanie Alvey explained the vaccine rollout plan in Texas. She said that after frontline workers and long-term care residents receive the vaccine, people 65 and older or 16 and older with a chronic condition will be next in line for vaccinations.
- Alvey also said more local healthcare providers have been allocated 2,700 doses and are set to receive those doses "any day now." The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is among the recipients of vaccines.
- The Waco-McLennan County Public Health Authority Dr. Charlie Verner detailed the approved COVID-19 vaccines and their side effects. He said that side effects are "more commonly" reported after the second dose and happens more frequently in those 18-55 years old.
