During Monday’s briefing, Turner said the Houston Department of Health reported 777 cases of COVID-19, bringing Houston’s total to 111,211. In addition to the new cases, Turner reported that there were three more deaths caused by the virus, leading to the city’s total death at 1,530.
As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be developed, this week the Houston Department of Health and the Houston Fire Department are both scheduled to receive 3,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine.
“We are ready to receive this inventory. We have the tools and equipment necessary for the proper storage of equipment and a plan for administering these vaccines to those employees,” said Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Pena.
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow, there have been growing concerns about reports of a new component of the virus in the UK. During Monday’s briefing, Dr. David Persse of the Houston Department of Health addressed the new option that does not cause any more serious illness.
“The new mutant virus does not appear to be more lethal, it does not cause any more serious disease, it does not cause more deaths. The change seems to be that the virus is easier to transmit,” said Dr. Persse.
As Houston raises the COVID-19 positivity rate, Mayor Turner is urging Houstonians to cancel future Christmas meetings.
“To avoid growth in addition to growth, postpone travel until sometime next year. I know a lot of people are flying here and there, I just don’t think it’s wise to do it right now,” Turner said. . “There is, of course, hope on the horizon with the approval of two vaccines now.”
Health workers have already begun receiving the first dose of Pfizer vaccine, and on Monday President-elect Joe Biden received a vaccination.
Biden received his first dose of coronavirus vaccine on live television on Monday as part of a growing effort to convince the American public that vaccinations are safe. The president-elect took a dose of Pfizer vaccine to a hospital not far from his Delaware home hours after his wife, Jill Biden, did the same.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to receive a vaccine tomorrow, December 22nd.
Abbott announced Monday that the public will be released back in the Capitol on January 4, about a week before the Texas Legislature meets. The decision comes as new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations rise to their highest levels in the summer. Texas has had more than 9,800 patients hospitalized with coronavirus since Sunday, mostly from a deadly summer outbreak.
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