Weekly Amarillo COVID-19 report notes 2 new deaths, 483 active cases
The Amarillo Department of Public Health (APHD) noted two new deaths and 483 cases of COVID-19 currently active for the week of April 13-19.
According to the Amarillo Department of Public Health's weekly COVID-19 report card, there were 87 new cases, with the overall total rising to 91,398 COVID-19 cases, 483 total active cases, a seven-day positivity rate of 6% and 1,342 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, 629 total hospital beds are currently occupied, with 117 total beds occupied in the ICU and 16 ventilators in use. These numbers include patients with and without COVID-19.
According to the health department's website, there have been a total of 701,385 tests administered locally since the beginning of the pandemic. Potter County's total cases since the start of the pandemic rose to 43,875, with 790 deaths related to the virus. Randall County's total COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic rose to 47,535, with 554 deaths related to the virus, according to the site Friday.
The website also noted eight COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, with six in the ICU and none on ventilators. In Amarillo school numbers, a total of 28 cases were reported over the past 14 days, according to the site.
APHD notes COVID remains a leading cause of death in U.S.
According to federal health officials, COVID-19 remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, tied to about 250 deaths daily, on average, mostly among older and immunocompromised individuals. Although deaths from COVID-19 are at an all-time low, experts say the rate is still high enough that people should consider it a major health threat, particularly if they have other health issues that make them more at risk.
A survey showed that Americans vastly underestimate how dangerous the coronavirus is, compared to other risks of death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not finalized data on the leading cause of death for 2022; however, all indications are that Covid will again place third behind cancer and heart disease. The CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters as the leading way to protect against severe disease, hospitalization and death due to the virus. People who are more likely to get very sick include adults (ages 50 years or older, with risk increasing with age); people who are unvaccinated; and people with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease or a weakened immune system.
Anyone who has not been vaccinated for COVID-19 since September is not up-to-date on their vaccines and should get the latest booster while it’s still free and easily accessible. Free vaccines and boosters are available Monday through Thursday with no appointment required at the Amarillo Public Health Department, 850 Martin Road, and Amarillo Public Health mobile clinics. To learn more, visit www.AmarilloAlerts.com/findavaccine.
Upcoming mobile vaccine clinics
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 24 at the North Amarillo Public Library, 1500 NE 24th Ave.
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 24 at the Canyon ISD Family Engagement Night, 3301 N. 23d St.
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 25 at the Digital Literacy Afterschool Class, 1502 S. Cleveland St.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 29 at the Kite Flying Festival at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Dr. #4300
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 29 at Fun in the Sun, 100 S. Louisiana St.
Nurses will be available at the mobile clinics to answer health-related questions. Learn more, including how to schedule a free ride to the Amarillo Public Health Department, at www.AmarilloAlerts.com/findavaccine.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Weekly Amarillo COVID-19 report notes 2 new deaths, 483 active cases
