BRYAN, TEXAS — As of Sunday, nearly 14,000 people are hospitalized for COVID-19 in the state of Texas.
In the Brazos Valley, the last reported ICU bed occupancy numbers topped 131%, according to the Brazos County Health District.
The rising numbers are a shocking revelation to locals, even causing some of their minds to change when it comes to protecting their health.
According to Texas Health and Human Services, all 254 counties in the state of Texas have had COVID-19 vaccine doses administered. In Brazos County, a little less than 500 people are actually fully-vaccinated, leaving some residents confused about why that number isn't higher.
"I would have expected the roll out to be a little faster," Sabrina Hasik, a College Station resident said.
Shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine first began to arrive in Texas in the middle of December. A month later, Texas has had a little over 1-million doses distributed statewide.
"I would definitely like to get the vaccine, but I am surprised I guess you could say it hasn't been rolled out faster," Hasik added.
In a timely-fashion or not, some College Station residents are just happy its being distributed.
"I definitely am for the vaccine. I think its really important. Considering how long this virus has been around," Lochan Morty, a College Station resident said. "It's the only way to make sure that as few people get it (the virus) as possible. So I am happy." Morty added.
The state of Texas is set to receive a 333,650 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this upcoming week. The only provider on the Week 6 COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation List representing Brazos County is CHI St. Joseph.
Last week, Chief Jim Stewart, an individual leading pandemic response efforts in Brazos County, told 25 News "The word is that St. Joseph is going to receive 1,000 doses per day and the expectation is they’ll administer 1,000 doses a day," in reference to the newly-forming Brazos Center vaccination hub.
Some College Station residents, who are not only thinking of themselves while waiting for their own dose, but their loved ones too, are simply eager.
"I am really excited to get it. When I do go home it's nice to not have to worry about my parents getting it, so I am really excited for it," Trevor Matt, a College Station resident said.
According to the latest data from Texas Health and Human Services, as of Sunday afternoon, the number of people vaccinated with at-least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Brazos County is 5,210.