2.7k doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to county
Several Wichita County healthcare providers are receiving 2,700 doses of the first Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine rolled out this week.
The state is still focusing on the 1A and 1B groups for vaccinations, which include medical workers, emergency response workers, those over 65, and those under 65 who are medically compromised. The list was expanded this week to include teachers.
In a push to get educators vaccinated by the end of March, Pre-K through 12th grade teachers were added locally to the 1A and 1B groups currently eligible for the vaccination.
The Wichita County providers receiving doses this week include:
United Pharmacy - Burkburnett, 100 doses
Electra Memorial Hospital - Electra, 1,000 doses
Iowa Park Clinic - Iowa Park, 300 doses
Clinics of North Texas - Wichita Falls, 300 doses
Kell West Regional Hospital - Wichita Falls WICHITA, 200 doses
Wichita County Pubic Health District - Wichita Falls, 100 doses
Myrna C De Asis Md - Wichita Falls, 100 doses
Texoma Cancer Center - Wichita Falls. 200 doses
Trott’s Call Field Drug -Wichita Falls, 300 doses
United Pharmacy- Iowa Park Road Wichita Falls, 100 doses
Those wishing to get the Covid-19 vaccine should contact their medical provider, pharmacy or the Wichita County Health District to get on a list even if you are not in the 1A or 1B group.
Wichita County Public Health Director Lou Kreidler said the number of Wichia County residents interested in getting the vaccine is encouraging.
“At this point, we’re limited by the number of vaccines that we receive into our community.” Kreidler said, adding, “We’ve had quite a bit of demand wanting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”
Asked her advice for residents following Abbott’s lifting of all social restrictions and mask mandates Wednesday, Kreidler said, “People need to continue to do the things that we’ve done before - especially in public places. They still need to practice social distancing, wash hands often and wear a mask, even if they’re fully vaccinated at this point.”
New cases, hospitalizations and deaths
The Wichita County-Wichita Falls Public Health District reported 66 new cases of Covid-19 in the county in a seven-day period ending Tuesday, March 9, as well as five Covid-related deaths.
Also, 146 people were reported to have recovered.
The five deaths reported include two in the 30-39 age group; one in the 40-49 age group; one in the 60-69 age group and one in the 80+ age group, bringing the total in the county to 325.
As of Tuesday evening, only eight Wichita County residents were hospitalized with the novel Coronavirus, with one of those in critical condition.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services website 20,314 Wichita County residents have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, and 13,886 are fully vaccinated.
As of Tuesday evening a total of 90,396 Wichita County residents had been tested for COVID-19, with 14,673 of those positive since March 18, 2020.
FREE TESTING CONTINUES
Free drive-through testing continues to be offered by WellHealth indefinitely in the parking lot of the MPEC Center in Wichita Falls. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
