Seton is one of 109 hospitals in 34 counties that will receive the vaccine as soon as the week of Dec. 14, and it is the only Hays County health care facility scheduled to receive doses in the first distribution.
A total of 1.4 million doses have been allotted to Texas so far, according to Gov. Greg Abbott.
The exact distribution date will depend on when the vaccine is authorized for use in the United States, according to DSHS.
The 975 doses was the minimum order for the vaccine, and more is expected to become available in the coming weeks. The Moderna vaccine would also contribute to increased availability going forward, the release stated.
The distribution quantity was based on information submitted by vaccine providers, according to the DSHS. Hays County was ranked 27th in active cases by county in Texas on Dec. 8 by the DSHS.
The allocation strategy was crafted by the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel and approved by DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to approve the Texas COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, which could be updated based on CDC feedback, the release stated.
The current COVID-19 situation in Hays County
Residents of Kyle and Buda represent more than half of the 843 cases reported active by Hays County Dec. 8 with 332 and 224 cases, respectively. The next closest city by case count was Dripping Springs, with 94 cases, followed by San Marcos, with 68 cases.
The county also reported 1,175 cases were active within the previous three-week period, and the total case count stood at 7,855. An additional 934 probable cases have been reported since March.
There were 329 cases reported over the previous seven-day period along with 3,958 tests. The positivity rate for testing during the same time period was 8.31%. A total of 63,899 tests have been performed to date, and the overall positivity rate was 12.29%.
Hospitalizations have changed on a daily basis in December, with a high of 15 on Dec. 4 and a low of nine Dec. 3. As of Dec. 8, there were 12 Hays County residents hospitalized due to the virus. There have been 450 hospitalizations since the pandemic began.
Hays County has reported 106 COVID-19-related deaths to date.
