285 active COVID-19 cases noted in Amarillo's weekly update

From Staff Reports
·4 min read
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The Amarillo Department of Public Health (APHD) noted 285 cases of COVID-19 currently active for the week of May 4-10 as emergency declarations for the pandemic came to an end.

Local cases of the coronavirus continue to wind down as the United States public health emergency declaration expired May 11. According to the Amarillo Department of Public Health's weekly COVID-19 report card, there were 62 new cases, with the overall total rising to 91,594 COVID-19 cases, 285 total active cases, a seven-day positivity rate of 6% and 1,346 deaths.

The weekly report is available at www.AmarilloAlerts.com/reportcard. The report also notes the status of local hospital capacity, based on data from BSA Health System, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, and Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center. According to the report, 600 total hospital beds are currently occupied, with 101 total beds occupied in the ICU and 20 ventilators in use. These numbers include patients with and without COVID-19.

The COVID-19 report card for May 4-10, issued weekly by the Amarillo Public Health Department.
The COVID-19 report card for May 4-10, issued weekly by the Amarillo Public Health Department.

According to the health department's website, there have been a total of 704,770 tests administered locally since the beginning of the pandemic. Potter County's total cases since the start of the pandemic rose to 43,961, with 792 deaths related to the virus. Randall County's total COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic rose to 47,641, with 554 deaths related to the virus, according to the site Friday.

The website also noted one COVID-19 patient was hospitalized, with one in the ICU and none on ventilators. In Amarillo school numbers, a total of 21 cases were reported over the past 14 days, according to the site.

Don’t wait until the next COVID-19 variant

On May 5, the World Health Organization declared the end of the Covid Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the APHD noted in a news release. However, declaring an end to a PHEIC is not the same as declaring the end of a pandemic. COVID continues to be an ongoing health concern and a leading cause of death in the United States, which is why it is important to stay up-to-date on COVID vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone get the latest COVID vaccine now. Amarillo Public Health urges residents not to wait until the next variant or surge to get the latest vaccine.

"Regardless of how many vaccines received in the past, individuals ages 6 years and older only need one bivalent vaccine in order to be considered up-to-date," APHD notes. "Individuals who have not received the latest vaccine since September are not up-to-date and need to get one now while it’s still free and easily accessible. Younger kids need to complete their entire primary series, but they will now receive their remaining doses with the latest vaccines. Ask a physician or Amarillo Public Health for specific guidance."

"People ages 65 and older have the opportunity to receive a second bivalent vaccine at least four months after their previous dose," the release adds. "Individuals ages 6 and older with a weakened immune system also have the option to get an additional bivalent booster at least two months after their previous vaccine, APHD says. This option for extra protection is reserved for older adults and people with weakened immune systems because their immunity tends to wane faster, and they are at the highest risk for severe illness, hospitalization and death" due to COVID.

Free vaccines and boosters are available Monday through Thursday with no appointment required at Amarillo Public Health, 850 Martin Road, and Amarillo Public Health mobile clinics. To learn more, visit www.AmarilloAlerts.com/findavaccine.

Upcoming mobile vaccine clinics

  • 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 18 at the Eastridge Safari, 1314 Evergreen St.

  • 9 a.m. to noon on May 20 at the Lisa Cherry Health Fair, Charles E. Warford Activity Center, 1330 NW 18th Ave.

  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 20 at FamFest at Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave.

Nurses will be available at the mobile clinics to answer health-related questions. Learn more, including how to schedule a free ride to Amarillo Public Health, at www.AmarilloAlerts.com/findavaccine.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: COVID-19 update notes 285 active cases, 62 new cases