News

The rate of COVID-19 vaccine administration is slowly increasing in Texas as we enter the second full month of shots going into arms. The Texas Department of State Health Services last weekend reported that about 1.6 million Texans—overwhelmingly frontline health workers, people over 65, or those with chronic health conditions—have received the first dose. Just over 400,000 are fully-vaccinated. The state has received 3.16 million doses so far; nearly half remain to be administered. Texas ranks near the bottom in percapita doses administered when compared to other states, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13) has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). HASC is charged with authorizing national defense budgets and enacting policies that structure the U.S. military.

In public comment during the Jan. 19 Hemphill County Hospital Board meeting, Jocelyn Timmons offered her congratulations for the move-in of residents to the new nursing home, Mesa View Senior Living.

The Hemphill County Hospital District lab has reported 21 new positive tests for COVID-19 in local residents over the last seven days, from Jan. 21-27, and 13 new cases in non-county residents. There have been no new virus-related hospital admissions during that time either, and no inpatient or ER transfers to a facility with higher level of care have been necessary.

As an emergency physician, Dr. Eugenia South was in the first group of people to receive a COVID vaccine. She received her second dose last week. Yet South said she’s in no rush to throw away her face mask.

The number of new COVID-19 infections in rural counties fell by 20 percent for the second week in a row, dropping to levels not seen since early November. The number of COVID-related deaths also declined, after reaching a recordsetting high two weeks ago.

Candidate filing began last Wednesday, Jan. 13, for candidates seeking a place on the ballot in the May 1 city council, and hospital and school board elections. There are eight open seats up for grabs this year, and incumbents have already begun announcing their intentions.