Houston-area COVID-19 outbreak, delta variant cases should be a wake-up call for Texans, health expert warns
By COLLEEN DEGUZMAN and The Texas Tribune
Published article
Medical workers fill syringes with vaccines for COVID-19 at the Delco Activity Center in Austin. Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune
HOUSTON -
The original headline to this story has been shortened for length.
The new and highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus may have sparked the recent outbreak of 125-plus cases of COVID-19 linked to a Houston-area youth church camp, and a Texas virologist says the breakout should be a wake-up call for communities.
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Demichael Houston receives a coronavirus vaccine at a clinic hosted by the Central Texas Allied Health Institute and the African American Youth Harvest Foundation.
Vaccine providers in Austin are offering walk-in and drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination opportunities this weekend.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for people 12 and up. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for people 18 and up.
Here’s where to go and how to get a free ride.
Travis County Expo Center
People 12 and up can get a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Travis County Expo Center at 7311 Decker Lane, Austin, this Saturday. The clinic is closed Friday and Sunday for the holiday weekend. This drive-thru vaccine clinic, which is hosted by the Central Texas Counties Vaccine Collaborative, runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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University of Texas at Austin football athletic trainer Johnathan Tran receives the COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 20.
The COVID-19 positivity rate in Austin and Travis County continues to fall as more people in the area are inoculated against the virus.
Dr. Jason Pickett, deputy medical director for the city, said Tuesday positivity rates for people of all races in the area are down below 5% for the first time in the pandemic, with an overall community positivity rate of 2.5%. The positivity rate is the percentage of tests administered that come back positive.
About 56% of the area s population is partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including more than 60% of people age 12 years and older.