BRYAN, TX — Brazos County hospitals are currently overrun with COVID-19 patients.
“In the emergency department, we have patients in the hallways."
shared Dr. Jason R. McKnight, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Primary Care and Population Health at Texas A&M's University College of Medicine.
"We have patients that have been admitted to the hospital, but have to remain in the emergency department, because there is just no available bed for them,” Dr. McKnight added.
Tuesday, the Brazos County Health District reported an additional 108 positive COVID-19 cases, with seven new deaths, bringing the total to 148: the highest number Brazos County has seen since the start of the pandemic.
With ages ranging from two males in their 50s, to a female in her 90s, Dr. McKnight says it's not just the older populations falling victims to the novel coronavirus.
“Unfortunately, we even see individuals that are younger than that, sometimes in the 20s or 30s, and that are requiring hospitalization with a very critical illness. The virus doesn’t necessarily care how old you are,” McKnight added.
In order to get control of the current surge in cases, Dr. McKnight says a vaccination distribution hub could be the answer.
“I think, if we could set up a hub of vaccinations, where people know where to go, they know we have the vaccine there, I absolutely think that will help the vaccination efforts in the area,” says McKnight.
In an effort to efficiently distribute COVID-19 vaccines, retired Chief Deputy with the Brazos County Sheriff's Office, John Stewart, is leading the team of local community leaders, including Texas A&M university members, to establish a staging point for vaccine distribution in Brazos County.
“That’s what we’re working on, and have been working on since last Tuesday. So, we’ve had multiple virtual meetings with the hospitals, with TEEX, with the Health Science Center. They’re all part of the team, working to put together a vaccination facility,” says Stewart.
But until a vaccination hub is official, health professionals warn...
the virus is still here, taking the lives of loved ones.
The Brazos County Health District will be holding a press conference Wed, Jan 13. at 2 P.M. which will be available to view on 25 News KRHD's Facebook page.