In the first weeks of Texas’ vaccine rollout, confusion and frustration abounds for residents desperate for a shot
The state opted against a one-size-fits-all approach to vaccinations, and a patchwork of strategies emerged, varying by hub and exacerbating frustration among residents.
Tracie Pannell moved from Collin to Fannin County a few years ago, and during the pandemic, she s found that living in a rural area has fewer resources than an urban one.(Vernon Bryant / Staff Photographer)
Tracie Pannell is willing to drive as far as she needs to for a vaccine.
Pannell, 55, moved a few years ago from Plano about 40 miles northeast to the tiny town of Whitewright, along with her 68-year-old husband and 77-year-old mother. They all have serious health conditions and want protection from COVID-19 as soon as possible.
CDC issues warning on New COVID-19 variant B117
KTRK
Share: The coronavirus is doing what all viruses do, mutating as it goes, said Dr. Linda Yancey.
This new variant spreads 70% faster and is extremely contagious, but it is not more deadly than the COVID-19 strain.
The CDC issued a warning Friday that said this new variant could become the dominant source of infection in the U.S. by March and would likely lead to a wrenching surge in cases and deaths that would further burden overwhelmed hospitals.
By Saturday, authorities in Dallas and Corpus Christi reported the first known cases of the B117 variant in their communities.
3rd Texas case of more contagious COVID variant found in Dallas By Gary Bass | January 16, 2021 at 12:58 PM CST - Updated January 17 at 10:02 AM
DALLAS, Texas (KLTV) - On Saturday, the Dallas County Health and Human Services reported the first case of the more-contagious COVID variant known as B.1.1.7 in the county. It is the third case that has been reported in Texas so far.
The variant is the same one that has been reported in the United Kingdom.
“The emergence of strain B.1.1.7, while inevitable given the mobility of the modern world and the fact that we are a major transportation hub, means that there is a strain that is 70 percent more contagious in our community, and it will grow quickly,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a press release. “It’s more important than ever to wear your mask around anyone you don’t live with, to maintain six-foot distance from other masked individuals wash your hands frequently, think of ways to avoid crowds by using tools