City of Kerrville and partners to host COVID-19 Community Update Friday

The City of Kerrville, Kerr County and other local leadership partners will be hosting a COVID-19 Community Update Friday, April 30, 10 a.m., at which time Kerrville Fire Department Chief Eric Maloney will be presenting the most up to date information on vaccination efforts in the area.

The event will be conducted via ZOOM and will be televised live on the city’s broadcast channel (Spectrum Channel 2) or on the city’s live stream at https://kerrvilletx.gov/1328/Kerrville-City-Channel.

The CDC has released more data regarding how effective COVID-19 vaccines are at making sure people do not get sick and reducing the chances they get others sick.

The CDC released data stating that people who are vaccinated can get the virus, but it is extremely uncommon. Out of 75 million fully vaccinated people in the U.S. last week, 5,814 had reported infections, which is about 1 in 20,000 people.

A frequently asked question is whether or not vaccinated people can be asymptomatic but still spread the virus. A CDC study of 3,950 healthcare workers who were tested weekly for COVID-19 for three months showed that regardless of symptoms, being fully vaccinated decreased infection by 90%.

Statewide, 1/3 of all adult Texans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 48.24% have had at least one dose. There are currently 92,231 active COVID-19 cases and 2,796 COVID-19 hospitalizations.

In Kerr County, there are 5 patients hospitalized due to the novel coronavirus and 8 new cases were confirmed Wednesday. Peterson Health does not have any vaccine clinics at this time, but the Texas National Guard is offering vaccines on May 3-7, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the 1st United Methodist Church in Kerrville. No appointments are necessary.

Gillespie County’s most recent COVID-19 statistics show that 40% of the county’s population is fully vaccinated, according to Hill Country Memorial Hospital’s chief medical officer Dr. Jim Parton. The Hill Country COVID Vaccination Site will offer first doses of the Moderna vaccine for the final time May 6, and the final 2nd doses June 3.