Hays County eases restrictions as COVID-19 hospitalizations decrease; announces vaccine wait list
Businesses returned to pre-January 8th capacity levels Sunday as Hays County eased restrictions following seven consecutive days of COVID-19 hospitalizations under the 15 percent threshold.
Under the rules of Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32, businesses can increase capacity from 50% to 75%, bars can reopen and elective surgeries can be scheduled in the state’s Trauma Service Area O, which encompasses Hays, Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra stated he received a letter from Dr. John Hellerstedt — director of the Texas Department of State Health Services — informing him of the change, saying he's pleased to see the region's efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus are working.
“This is a positive step in the right direction,” Becerra said in a statement. “Everything we are doing right now, combined with rolling out the vaccine to everyone who wants it, will aid in the fight against COVID-19.”
Regarding the Hays County implementation of the vaccine, Becerra said “he sees, hears, and shares in the frustration felt in the community.”
“With the current severe lack of vaccine supply, the tremendous demand makes dispensing the doses a huge disappointment,” he said.
He added that Hays County officials continue to research, learn and consult with regional partners, including Austin Public Health, to get vaccines into as many people who want it as possible.
The Hays County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD) are collaborating on creating a waiting list for anyone in the DSHS Phase 1A and Phase 1B groups.
OES Director Mike Jones cautioned that the system will still lead to frustrations since the County doesn’t have many vaccine doses to dispense at this time.
“While no system is perfect,” he said, “our goal is to take care of Hays County residents in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Receiving less than 2,000 doses per week from DSHS is a frustration felt by everyone at the County and in our community.”
Any DSHS-designated vaccine hub must make the doses it receives available to anyone in Texas, not just the county in which the hub is located. Therefore, Jones said, people from all over the state are also trying to get into the vaccine clinics in this county.
“It’s an unfortunate situation for all of us,” he said.
Jones said once the waiting list set-up is finalized, the County will share the information on its website, hayscountytx.com, on its emergency information site haysinformed.com and on the County’s official social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.
To receive text alerts about the COVID-19 vaccine, text COVID to 844-928-3213.