The city of Amarillo s public health department reported an increase of 14 COVID-19 cases in Potter and Randall counties from Thursday in Friday s COVID-19 report card, the final report card of the week. This brings the area s number of cases to 33,833 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Of the total, 211 are listed as active, which is an increase of four net active cases from Thursday. There have been 32,893 recoveries and 729 deaths related to the virus since the start of the pandemic.
As of Friday, there have been 267,494 conducted COVID-19 tests reported to the public health department, one of which is pending. Friday s report card also shows that Trauma Service Area A is recording a 2.01% COVID-19 hospitalization rate as of Thursday. The rate is recorded daily by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
COVID-19 pandemic changes the Amarillo entertainment scene amarillo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from amarillo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Officials with the Texas Department of State Health Services announced Wednesday the categories for individuals who can be vaccinated throughout the state will be extended on Monday.
The announced Phase 1C vaccination category allows all individuals at least 50 years of age the chance to be vaccinated in the state. This phase joins educators, as well as those in the Phase 1A and 1B categories, including frontline workers and people 18 years of age and older who have at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness if they contract COVID-19.
The city of Amarillo hosted its weekly COVID-19 news conference Wednesday morning, prior to the Texas DSHS making its announcement. However, Casie Stoughton, city public health director and a member of the state’s COVID-19 expert vaccine allocation panel, alluded to the possibility of the Phase 1C announcement.