H-E-B sets up online COVID-19 registration tool

In preparation for giving COVID-19 vaccinations to people in Phase 1B, H-E-B says it has requested more doses and eligible people can schedule appointments online. The company said it did not receive any COVID-19 vaccines this week and does not have a timeline from the state on when it will, but it wanted to prepare once the vaccine is available.

The grocery chain has an online registration tool to set up, and says when stores receive another allotment of vaccine doses, those aged 65 years and older and those aged 16 years and older with chronic medical conditions as defined in Phase 1B can schedule an appointment to receive their first dose. (Individuals must be 18 years of age and older in order to receive the Moderna vaccine.)

H-E-B won’t accept walk-up patients for COVID-19 vaccinations. It is also still vaccinating people in Phase 1A, frontline workers and those who live in long-term care facilities that aren’t part of the federal pharmacy program.

On Tuesday, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that there will be new requirements for all airline passengers entering the United States. Before departure to the U.S., anyone entering the country is required to complete a COVID-19 test, along with abiding by the CDC recommendations to get tested again 3-5 days after arrival, and staying home for 7 days post-travel.

Air passengers are required to get a viral test within 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs and provide written documentation of their lab/test results to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. If a passenger does not provide these things, or chooses not to take a COVID-19 test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.

The order was signed January 12 and becomes effective on January 26.

On Tuesday, the number of COVID-19 deaths in Texas surpassed 30,000 and the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations topped 14,000 for the first time. As of January 12, Texas has officially reported 1,753,059 confirmed cases and 242,233 probable cases in the state. As of January 12, the state has officially reported 30,219 COVID-19 deaths and has been averaging 268 virus related deaths each day for the past 7 days.