Texas DSHS reports that Region 8 COVID-19 hospitalizations double in past two weeks

The number of people hospitalized in Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville who are receiving treatment for active COVID-19 has risen in the past five days from 14 to 21 people. Besides Kerrville, the Texas Department of State Health Services reports that COVID-19 hospitalizations have doubled in the past two weeks in the region that Kerr County belongs to – Region 8.

According to Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas, “The age group for infection has primarily been in those people aged 20 to 59 years. The most striking data we’re seeing out of the most recent active cases is that 99% of them have been in individuals who have not received any of the three available vaccines.”

Thomas also confirmed that 41% of the new cases in DSHS Region 8 have been identified as the Delta variant, which is known for having a higher transmission rate than the original variant, which was called the Alpha variant.

Vaccines are readily available in Kerr County at local pharmacies. Additionally, Peterson Urgent Care offers weekly vaccination clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m., as well as on Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. To make an appointment, call (830) 258-7373, and select “Option 2.”

The Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, 1800 North Llano Street, will be hosting a pop-up vaccination site Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m., with recipients receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those wanting more information can call (830) 997-7679, and all in attendance should bring a valid ID and mask.

As of July 27, there were 611 COVID-19 patients hospitalized across the 28-county Alamo Area Council of Governments region that Kerr County belongs to, according to the Regional Medical Operations Center.

A total of 18,965 Kerr County residents have been fully vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus.

As of July 26, the TX DSHS has confirmed 102,718 active COVID-19 cases, 4,984 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 51,890 fatalities due to the virus since the onset of the pandemic. Currently, 52.23% of all eligible Texans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.