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Texas COVID Stats Slightly Up; Young People Hit Harder by Variants; TAMU Chimes In

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3 years ago

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AUSTIN, TX – State health officials on Tuesday reported above-average numbers of new COVID-19 cases and deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported almost 4,400 new cases and 59 new deaths Tuesday.

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) researchers have calculated rolling seven-day averages of almost 3,400 cases and 55 deaths daily.

Among 13 new fatalities reported in Dallas County on Tuesday was a 19-year old an and a woman in her 30s.  Experts say that new variants are hitting those between 20 and 40 more aggressively than the original COVID-19 virus. 

Meantime, in a press release, researchers at Texas A&M University (TAMU) say that they have identified the UK variant in a student who had mild symptoms. TAMU Global Health Research Complex virologist, Dr. Ben Neuman said:

 “We do not at present know the full significance of this variant, but it has a combination of mutations similar to other internationally notifiable variants of concern. This variant combines genetic markers separately associated with rapid spread, severe disease and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.”  

Although found in only one individual who had only mild symptoms, the Texas A&M scientists decided they should share information about the variant with scientists across the globe.

Officials continue to urge Texans to get vaccinated. According to JHU researchers’ the Texas pandemic case total is at slightly over 3.06 million and the state’s death toll is nearing 50,000.

Almost 23% of the population in Texas has been fully vaccinated.

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