The Bell County Public Health District identified three COVID-19 related fatalities on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 144.
âThose were for three women: one from Temple in her 60s, one from Harker Heights in her 80s and another from Killeen in her 80s,â Health District Director Amanda Robison-Chadwell said. âOur thoughts go out to their loved ones in this difficult time.â
Residents aged 60 years and older now represent about 92 percent of all COVID-19-related deaths in Bell County, according to the health district. Prior to Thursdayâs update, comorbidities â deaths where one or more medical conditions co-occur with a primary health complication â were present for about 67.5 percent of this age group.
Local coronavirus infections may determine Belton ISD class setting in January tdtnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tdtnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Despite the first 3,900 doses of Pfizerâs COVID-19 vaccine arriving at Baylor Scott & White on Tuesday, the hospital system stressed that residents need to remain vigilant.Â
âThat is something that we do have to stress because the vaccine is just one tool in a tool kit,â said Dr. Stephen Sibbitt, chief medical officer for Baylor Scott & WhiteâTemple region. âWe absolutely endorse the continued use of masks, physical distancing, staying away from crowds and washing your hands.â
But the Bell County Public Health District took that guidance a step further on Wednesday and discouraged non-essential travel, as it identified its 141st COVID-19 related death.
Tuesday was âgame-changingâ for Bell Countyâs frontline health care workers as Baylor Scott & White received its first 3,900 doses of Pfizerâs COVID-19 vaccine.
âThis pandemic has weighed heavily on everybody in the country, including our health care workers who have shouldered a huge burden during this crisis. But today, there was optimism and hope,â said Dr. Stephen Sibbitt, chief medical officer for Baylor Scott & White â Temple region. âThere was just a positive energy today ⦠especially from those in line to get vaccinated. Itâs been one of my proudest days being with this institution, and Iâve been with them for almost 18 years.â
COVID-19 vaccinations begin in Fort Hood, Temple as 5 more deaths bring county toll to 140 kdhnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kdhnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.