Bowie County could see vaccine before Christmas

As of Friday, Dec. 4, the Bowie County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reports no new cases and two additional deaths since Thursday, Dec. 3, for a total of 2,579 positive COVID-19 cases with 106 deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Department of State reports 2,092 recoveries.

Cass County added three new cases, for a total of 773, with 703 of those recovered and 36 fatalities.

Additionally, the EOC reports a backlog in labs across the State of Texas. Due to this, the number of new cases “may seem lower than it actually is”, according to the release.

DSHS submitted Friday, Dec. 4, the first week’s allocation of COVID-19 vaccine to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The first week’s allocation is 224,250 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be shipped to 109 hospitals in 34 counties as early as Dec. 14, depending on when the vaccine is authorized for use in the United States.

Wadley Regional Medical Center and Christus St. Michael will each receive 975 doses of the vaccine during the first week’s allocation.

The first week’s allocation is based on information submitted by vaccine providers when they enrolled, including the number of health care workers who can be quickly vaccinated and vaccine storage capacity at each site. The minimum order for the Pfizer vaccine is 975 doses. More vaccine will be available for more providers in the following weeks, including vaccine from Moderna once it is authorized.

Through the end of the year, free testing will be offered Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center at 902 W. 12th Street, Texarkana, TX 75501. There are no requirements for testing (residency included), oral swab with results in 48-96 hours, and pre-registration available at www.gogettested.com.