Active cases fall below 400, 3 new deaths in APHD weekly COVID-19 update

From Staff Reports
·3 min read
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The Amarillo Department of Public Health (APHD) noted three new deaths and 393 cases of COVID-19 currently active for the week of April 20-26.

Local cases of the coronavirus continue to wind down before the emergency declaration officially ends in May.

According to the Amarillo Department of Public Health's weekly COVID-19 report card, there were 66 new cases, with the overall total rising to 91,455 COVID-19 cases, 393 total active cases, a seven-day positivity rate of 8% and 1,345 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, 596 total hospital beds are currently occupied, with 106 total beds occupied in the ICU and 17 ventilators in use. These numbers include patients with and without COVID-19.

The COVID-19 report card for the week of April 20-26, issued by the Amarillo Department of Public Health.
The COVID-19 report card for the week of April 20-26, issued by the Amarillo Department of Public Health.

According to the health department's website, there have been a total of 702,656 tests administered locally since the beginning of the pandemic. Potter County's total cases since the start of the pandemic rose to 43,908, with 791 deaths related to the virus. Randall County's total COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic rose to 47,568, with 554 deaths related to the virus, according to the site Friday.

The website also noted seven COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, with six in the ICU and none on ventilators. In Amarillo school numbers, a total of 20 cases were reported over the past 14 days, according to the site.

Additional COVID-19 booster available for high risk individuals

Adults aged 65 and older and people aged 6 years and older with weakened immune systems are eligible for an additional COVID-19 booster for added protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death due to the coronavirus, APHD noted.

The following individuals are eligible for an additional Covid booster: adults aged 65 and older who received the latest booster at least 4 months ago; and individuals aged 6 years and older who are immunocompromised and received the latest booster at least 2 months ago. Additional doses may be administered at the discretion of a healthcare provider.

For best protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone to stay up-to-date with recommended vaccinations, which means one updated COVID-19 vaccine dose for everyone aged 6 months and older. Anyone aged 6 years or older who has not received the latest vaccine since September is not up-to-date and needs to get one now while it’s still free and easily accessible. Unvaccinated individuals aged 6 years and older are also eligible to receive only one dose of the latest COVID-19 vaccine to be considered up-to-date.

For children aged 6 months to 5 years, multiple doses continue to be recommended and vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received. Ask a physician or Amarillo Public Health for specific guidance.

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

  • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 at the Kite Flying Festival at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Dr. #4300

  • 2 to 5 p.m. April 29 at the Fun in the Sun at San Jacinto Park, 100 S. Louisiana St.

  • 3 to 6 p.m. on May 2 at Canyon Intermediate School, 506 8th St.

  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 3 at the Downtown Amarillo Public Library, 413 SE 4th Ave.

  • 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 3 at Pinnacle Intermediate School, 4545 Meadow Ridge Dr.

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: Weekly COVID-19 update notes 3 new deaths, 393 active cases