Hays County hospitals reported eight new hospitalizations for COVID-19 from the weekend of Aug. 21-23, along with two COVID-19-related fatalities.

Among the fatalities were a Kyle man in his 50s and a San Marcos man in his 70s. The Hays County Local Health Department also reported 348 new lab-confirmed cases, and 50 people in Hays County hospitals for treatment. Of those currently hospitalized, 41 are unvaccinated. Eight of the unvaccinated are in intensive care units, 19 are in ICUs with a ventilator, and 14 are hospitalized but not in the ICU. Among the hospitalized who are vaccinated, one is in the ICU on a ventilator and the remaining eight are not in the ICU.

The total number of cases in Hays County has now reached 24,107 since the beginning of the pandemic, of which 3,169 have occurred in the past 21 days.

Hays County reported 215,174 negative tests since the beginning of the pandemic as well as 298 fatalities.

The percent of residents getting vaccinated continues to increase.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that the total number of Hays County residents 12 years old and up with at least one vaccine dose rose to 69.10%, and 57.29% of residents are fully vaccinated.

The county is still offering “no appointment needed” vaccine clinics, Monday through Friday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Live Oak Community Clinic, 401 Broadway St., San Marcos, and they have the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines available.

Every Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. the Pfizer vaccine is available at CommunicCare, 2810 Dacy Lane in Kyle.