TEXAS — The Texas Department of State Health Services this week reported a great deal of progress has been made in the state in regards to COVID-19 vaccination.
The agency Wednesday reported more than 40% of state residents ages 16 and up are now fully vaccinated. It also reported declining case numbers.
The Pfizer vaccine is now approved for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thursday revised its mask-wearing guidance to state that people who are fully vaccinated do not need facial protection indoors or outdoors except in places where significant crowds are gathered.
Despite the good news and what feels like a return to normalcy, the coronavirus has not disappeared in Texas. Thousands of new cases continue to be reported each day and thousands of Texans remain hospitalized with the virus.
DSHS on Thursday reported 1,545 new confirmed virus cases and 730 new probable cases. The agency additionally reported 55 new fatalities attributed to the disease. Currently, 2,353 Texans remain hospitalized with the virus.
A total of 19,927,095 vaccine doses have been administered in Texas, 11,602,754 Texans have received at least one vaccine dose and 9,025,766 are fully vaccinated.
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