Ellis County Leaders Request Additional COVID-19 Vaccine

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COVID 19 vaccine flyer

On Friday, January 8, County Judge Todd Little and Ellis County Municipality Leadership – listed below – issued a letter to The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Region ⅔ regarding additional COVID-19 vaccine allotment for Ellis County.

The issued letter distributed January 8, 2021, was signed by:

  • Ellis County Judge Todd Little, Ellis County, TX
  • Mayor Ginger Gonzales, City of Alma
  • Mayor Larry Gilbert, City of Bardwell
  • Mayor Angie Juenemann, City of Ennis
  • Mayor Tommy Scott, City of Ferris
  • Mayor Joy Landry, City of Maypearl
  • Mayor Bryant Cockran, City of Italy
  • Mayor Bruce Perryman, City of Milford
  • Mayor Richard Reno, City of Midlothian
  • Mayor Richard Dormier, City of Ovilla
  • Mayor Tom Leverentz, City of Oak Leaf
  • Mayor Mark Stanfill, City of Red Oak
  • Mayor Kenneth Bateman, City of Palmer
  • Mayor David Hill, City of Waxahachie

Ellis County letter vaccine

High Positivity Rates in Ellis County, Insufficient Vaccine Allotment

 

In the letter, Judge Little points out that currently Ellis County mobile testing sites are seeing 20-30% positivity rates. Hospitals in Ellis County are at “max capacity” as are others across the TSA Region E. He continues to point out to Texas DSHS that Ellis County has been in the top four highest percentage in TSA-E since early November. Over the past three weeks, since vaccines have been distributed Ellis County received 1600 doses. Currently, Ellis County does not have enough vaccine to administer to Phase 1A and Phase 1B residents.

The letter also states that “with that low amount we are not able to vaccinate any of our first responders, Independent School District nurses, or other hospital staff within the community. However, according to the City of Midlothian on December 23, “Midlothian firefighters/EMS responders lined up to receive their first doses of the vaccine from Pharmacy Manager Crystal Dixon, Pharm.D at Brookshires. More first responders will be vaccinated next week and the first group will receive their second dose in 28 days.”

For all Texas COVID-19 vaccine information, go to dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx

Ellis County Has 1,304 Active COVID-19 Cases

The Ellis County dashboard, last updated on 1/8 at 9:55 am, shows 198 of 235 hospital beds are currently occupied. Out of the 198 patients, 120 of those have COVID-19. The ICU has activated surge capacity and 23 of 29 beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.

DSHS currently shows 1,304 active COVID-19 cases in Ellis County (EC dash shows 1,049), numbers are from 1/8/2021. DSHS reports 181 COVID-19 deaths in Ellis County, but the Ellis County dashboard shows 196 COVID deaths.

Need a COVID-19 test? Free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be provided by WellHealth Jan. 5 – 29 (Tes., Wed., Thurs., and Fri.) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Midlothian Senior Activity Center, 4 Community Circle Drive, Midlothian, Texas 76065. This site uses the saliva method and results will be available within 48-96 hours. Register on site or pre-register for an appointment at www.gogettested.com.

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Kristin Barclay
Kristin Barclay graduated from the University of South Carolina with a major in Journalism and Advertising. Throughout her career, Kristin has demonstrated a passion for storytelling and a commitment to providing accurate, timely, and informative news coverage. She has a deep understanding of the issues and concerns facing local communities and has earned a reputation as a trusted source for reliable news and information. In addition to her work as an editor and journalist, Kristin is also a skilled writer and has written articles on a wide range of topics, including politics, business, education, and culture. She has a keen eye for detail and a talent for crafting compelling stories that engage and inform readers. Kristin is also an active member of the community and has volunteered her time and resources to numerous organizations and causes. She believes in the importance of giving back and making a positive impact on the world around us. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Kristin Barclay is also a passionate advocate for local journalism and the role it plays in keeping communities informed and engaged. She believes strongly in the importance of supporting local news outlets and is dedicated to ensuring that quality journalism remains a vital part of our society. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys traveling both for business and pleasure. She loves exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures. Whether she's on a business trip or a vacation, Kristin is always eager to discover what makes each place unique and special. Kristin's passions include boots, bourbon, dogs and college football. She is a self-proclaimed boot aficionado and has an impressive collection of cowboy boots that she wears with pride. She also enjoys sipping on a good bourbon and spending time with her husband and beloved border collies. Last but certainly not least, Kristin is the proud mother of two children who bring joy and meaning to her life. She is deeply committed to being a loving and supportive parent, and her children are her greatest source of inspiration and motivation