Waco Journal
Friday, August 1, 2025
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
No Result
View All Result

COVID-19 vaccine providing hope for the future, but health officials say focus needs to be on the present

by Gavin Wright
January 3, 2021
in COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccine providing hope for the future, but health officials say focus needs to be on the present

WACO, TX — Trauma Service Area M, which includes McLennan County, is going on a month of COVID-19 hospitalization rates over 15%. Trauma Service Area L includes Bell County, and although they haven’t reached that 15% threshold, they have been inching closer to it each day.

Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine brings hope for the future, but health experts say we shouldn’t rely on it to bring our numbers down. It’s still going to take effort from the community, as statewide hospitalizations increase daily.

“We have our highest COVID utilization ever,” CEO of Advent Health Central Texas, Kevin Roberts said.

Roberts said in a Bell County press conference that their hospitals in Killeen and Lampasas are working around the clock, but are prepared when spikes occur.

“This is putting stress on our critical care beds in particular. The medical surgical area is also strained,” Roberts said.

“We’re just seeing more people in the hospital. We’re seeing a higher amount of death. We’re seeing a higher amount of people getting sick,” said Kelly Craine with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.

Looking toward a better future, the health district already distributed 41 of their 200 vaccines on Monday.

Statewide, hundreds of thousands of doses have been distributed, but the vaccine isn’t going to show its effects on case numbers right away.

“In terms of spread in the community and the penetration in the community from the vaccine, it’s not going to make any difference in the near future,” Roberts said.

It’s going to take the community to continue practicing those health and safety guidelines issued by the CDC.

“At the same time, we have the reality of today, which is high hospitalization rates, high death rates. We’re not out of the woods yet. We’re close, but we’re not out yet,” Craine said.

Currently, Trauma Service Area L has a hospitalization rate of 13.83% and Trauma Service Area M sits at 23.82%

The DSHS is tracking how many in the state have received a COVID-19 vaccine thus far.

For McLennan County, 1,366 people have been vaccinated with the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine. 1,234 people in Bell County received their first round, and statewide, 146,988 people have been vaccinated.

Related Posts

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported another 400 deaths from COVID-19
COVID-19

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported another 400 deaths from COVID-19

January 16, 2021

Waco, TX - According to the report, these numbers are increasing the statewide toll to 31,450. The highest number of...

TDSHS announced that the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has received 1,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19

TDSHS announced that the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has received 1,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

January 12, 2021

Waco, TX - According to the the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District have received...

TDSHS announced that the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has received 1,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19

TDSHS announced that the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has received 1,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

January 11, 2021

Waco, TX - According to the statement, free vaccination clinic for eligible people in Phases 1A and 1B is scheduled...

168 new cases of COVID-19 in McLennan County, 20,471 total, six new deaths
COVID-19

168 new cases of COVID-19 in McLennan County, 20,471 total, six new deaths

January 9, 2021

WACO, TX– 168 new cases of COVID-19 are confirmed as of Friday. The total number of cases to date is...

McLennan County’s COVID-19 death toll tops 300 with six more deaths
COVID-19

McLennan County’s COVID-19 death toll tops 300 with six more deaths

January 9, 2021

WACO, TX - The death toll attributed to COVID-19 in McLennan County soared past the 300 mark Friday with six...

COVID19 claims more lives in Central Texas
COVID-19

COVID19 claims more lives in Central Texas

January 3, 2021

WACO, TX - The two largest counties in Central Texas reported five deaths as a result of COVID-19 on Wednesday....

Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced
News

Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced

by Nolan Harris
August 1, 2025
0

Minnesota - A Minnesota woman pIeaded guiIty last week to one count of attempted first‑degree murder. The 65-year-old woman reached a...

Read moreDetails
Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

August 1, 2025
Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott activates state emergency response ahead of possible flash flooding in Texas Panhandle

July 31, 2025
Waco library unveils new StoryWalk at Dewey Community Center

Waco library unveils new StoryWalk at Dewey Community Center

July 31, 2025
Waco Teenager Sentenced to 14 Years for Gang-Related Shooting

Waco Police Department announces enrollment for Citizens Police Academy starting August 28

July 31, 2025
Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced

Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced

by Nolan Harris
August 1, 2025
0

Minnesota - A Minnesota woman pIeaded guiIty last week to one count of attempted first‑degree murder. The 65-year-old woman reached a...

Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

by Nolan Harris
August 1, 2025
0

Texas - A Texas mom was ordered to spend the next 7 years behind bars after pleading guilty to abandoning a...

Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott activates state emergency response ahead of possible flash flooding in Texas Panhandle

by Nolan Harris
July 31, 2025
0

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency resources as excessive...

Waco library unveils new StoryWalk at Dewey Community Center

Waco library unveils new StoryWalk at Dewey Community Center

by Nolan Harris
July 31, 2025
0

Waco, TX - The City of Waco recently hosted the unveiling of a new StoryWalk book at the Dewey Community...

About Us

A community needs news and Waco Journal is proud to serve 50,000 households each month through our website covering Waco and the other local counties.

Learn more

Recent Stories

  • Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced
  • Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

Categories

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
Currently Playing

© 2023 Waco Journal

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result