New COVID-19 cases in Denton County continue to trend downward as vaccination counts and herd immunity rise, said Dr. Matt Richardson, Denton County director of public health.
Richardson also told county commissioners during their Oct. 26 meeting that two more deaths have been reported for a countywide total of 705. The two people died within the past month.
No one under the age of 30 has died in relation to the virus in the county, Richardson said.
“We have been incredibly fortunate,” he said.
The county’s hospitalization rate is at 10.8%, which is below rates seen earlier this month, he said. In mid-October the county saw a 16.8% hospitalization rate.
“We have not been that low since the beginning of August,” Richardson said.
The Denton County Public Health Department has administered nearly 425,000 vaccination doses, with 198,674 being second doses, Richardson said. That total also includes 16,953 boosters, according to department data.
Moderna booster vaccines are now available, and the department began contacting eligible people for their shot if they were previously vaccinated through the county. Those vaccinated elsewhere may register to receive a booster through one of the county's vaccination clinics.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Texas Department of State Health Services all authorized the booster shot for those who meet certain criteria and who originally received the Moderna vaccine. People can receive booster shots as soon as eight months after their second dose.
The county health department has been offering the Pfizer vaccine booster shot since Sept. 28.
Richardson said he hopes that the Pfizer vaccine will soon be approved for children under 12 years old. The department will roll out vaccination slots for eligible children as soon as the vaccine is approved by the FDA and CDC.
All COVID-19 vaccinations are available for free through Denton County Public Health, and vaccination sites can be found through the department’s website.
