Two More Maverick County Citizens Die from COVID-19, Vaccines Available on January 6th at Multi-Purpose Center
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2021
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported on Monday, December 27, 2021, that two more Maverick County citizens died from COVID-19 and 102 new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the total cumulative totals to 415 fatalities and 13,254 confirmed positive cases.
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 surges in the United States, Maverick County is no exception as the total number of new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases increased by an additional 102 new positive cases, claiming the lives of two additional local citizens.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all persons 5 years and older to get vaccinated, those who are 16 years or older that have either received a two dose vaccine or a one dose vaccine to get the Booster vaccine for maximum protection, wear a face mask, use hand sanitizer regularly, wash one’s hands regularly, and avoid gatherings of 10 or more people. Vaccination is the best way to protect oneself and reduce the impact of a COVID-19 infection.
Maverick County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Director Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma announced the the first COVID-19 Vaccine clinic in 2022 will be held on Thursday, January 6th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City of Eagle Pass Multi-Purpose Center, located at 480 South Adams Street in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Vielma added that all Maverick County citizens 5 years or older are encouraged to get vaccinated and those who are already vaccinated and 16 years or older to get the Booster dose at the January 6th Clinic at the Multi-Purpose Center. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and booster doses will be available on January 6th.
The vaccination rate for Maverick County is 77 percent among citizens 5 years or older, while those 65 years or older the vaccination rate is 96 percent. Texas reports a vaccination rate of only 57 percent among all persons eligible for vaccines, among 12 years or older the vaccination rate is 67 percent, and among 65 years or older the vaccination rate is 84 percent. In Texas, only 14.9 percent of 16 years or older have received a Booster dose (third shot).
In recent Maverick County EOC COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics, Mexican citizens with tourist visas have been allowed to receive their Booster shots provided they got their second dose more than six months before the booster. Local pharmacies report that many children 5 years or older from Mexico have had their COVID-19 vaccines since the reopening of non-essential travel at the U.S.- Mexico border on November 8, 2021.
Maverick County EOC together with DSHS, Texas National Guard, Mexican Consul Ismael Naveja Macias, City of Eagle Pass, Customs and Border Protection, and City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila have held several COVID-19 Vaccine clinics for Mexican children 12 years or older at the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 totaling over 3,000 vaccines to date.
