The first COVID-19 vaccine opens in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Against the backdrop of the city’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on Monday offered a grim record and a reminder of the dire need to expand vaccines to at-risk residents picked up.

The 3,039 new cases reported by Turner are the most recorded for a single day in the city during the pandemic.

But the statistics come with some conditions. According to Turner, the number comes from an adjustment of cases in the last three days.

However, the city has so far recorded more than 148,500 cases of coronavirus. The positivity rate in Houston is 17%.

The first self-vaccination site in the city

Given a numerical reminder of the virus’s impact on the city, Turner and other city leaders introduced Houston’s first vaccination site at Del Mar Stadium, where 1,600 doses of Moderna vaccine were allocated.

Turner added that the Houston Department of Health received an additional 9,000 doses last Friday.

“Our job to vaccinate as many people as possible (is) based on supply. I know there is a lot of anxiety in the community because people are worried they can’t get an appointment. We know that the demand is higher than the supply of vaccine. “Turner said.

The drive-thru site is in partnership with United Memorial Medical Center. People considered in high-risk phases 1A and 1B qualified for scheduled vaccinations.

“As we receive more vaccines, we will expand partnerships with federally qualified pharmacies and health centers to ensure that the vaccine is available in the most vulnerable communities and implement mobile strike teams as needed,” Turner added.