SAN ANGELO, Texas — It’s been over two years since the world stopped because of COVID-19. This summer, hospitalizations have increased across the state, and the pandemic is still far from over.
Tom Green County reported 412 active cases last week and 205 active cases in Taylor County as of today.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences professor Courtney Queen has an idea of why COVID is still spreading.
"Their numbers are rising again because we have new variants. Right now we're in a position where we have probably mostly 70% of the new cases it's anticipated are due to these new variants, the A4 or the A5,” Queen explained.
With school starting in just a few weeks, two San Angelo parents say they are skeptical of children going back to the classrooms, and they believe the vaccinations and booster shots haven't helped enough to curb the virus.
"I don't recommend the shot. I was told that it would work and I still got COVID,” San Angelo parent Satdy Dominguez explained.
As for the fall season, projected cases don't look like they'll go away.
"It's different than it was last year but we are seeing comparable, if not higher cases," Queen added.
Queen recommends wearing masks when around large groups of people, and she encourages individuals to get vaccinations and booster shots.
"Masks just don't cost much. It's painless, it's low cost. It doesn't require much. If you are vaccinated with both of your doses, plus a booster, plus a mask, there’s a really, really high likelihood that you can offset any amount of contraction of this disease with those steps,” she said.
Here is information from Shannon Medical Center about where to get tested or vaccinated for COVID-19.
Vaccinations
Location: Shannon Pharmacy, 119 E. Beauregard
All COVID vaccine doses for individuals ages 5+
Vaccines are available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Walk-in visits are welcome. Children under age 5 may obtain a COVID vaccination from the pediatric clinics by appointment. Please contact the pediatrician’s office for more information.
Testing - Shannon drive-thru COVID testing
Location: Urgent Care West (4251 Sunset Dr.)
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 days a week
For a list of vaccination locations near you, text your zip code to GETVAX.
