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Regional Vaccine Hub Gets 600,000 Calls in First Few Hours -
Regional Vaccine Hub Gets 600,000 Calls in First Few Hours -
Regional Vaccine Hub Gets 600,000 Calls in First Few Hours -
Regional Vaccine Hub Gets 600,000 Calls in First Few Hours -
Regional Vaccine Hub Gets 600,000 Calls in First Few Hours
“It took longer to get through on the 1-800 number than it did to go through the process to get the shot!,” said Holman’s Elaine Thomas, who along with her husband were able to get their COVID vaccine shot Wednesday. “We were in and out of the Washington County Fairgrounds in 37 minutes – which included waiting 15 minutes after the shot to ensure neither Emil nor I had a reaction. The overall vaccination process was extremely well thought out and those staffing the hub were pleasant, helpful, well informed and seemed to be pumped to be doing their part to get COVID under control. We are very grateful.” Above left, is Elaine’s smiling medical staffer. Elaine with her coveted COVID vaccination card, right, and below, the line entering the vaccination station. Photos courtesy of Elaine Thomas Images taken by Elaine Thomas Wednesday at the vaccination site in Brenham. Left, as she and her husband’s reservations were confirmed and, right, as their temperatures were taken.
People who tried to get a coronavirus vaccine from the state’s regional subHUB at the Washington County Fairgrounds had a hard time scheduling an appointment. But those who were able to register described a very efficient operation in Brenham this week.
The State allocated 2,000 doses of the vaccine to be distributed in Brenham. Washington County officials set up a phone line for people to call and register for a shot on Monday, Jan. 18. The registration line received more than 7,000 calls in the first minute it was open. Washington County Office of Emergency Management reported more than 600,000 calls in the first couple of hours, which caused the phone system to crash. The office announced all 2,000 slots had been filled by that afternoon.
“Everything except the callin went splendidly smooth,” said Fayette County Emergency Management Chief Craig Moreau, who had visited the site several times early this week. “There have been no hiccups.”
Moreau said the Washington County subHUB’s average wait time was about 34 minutes as of Wednesday morning. That includes the wait in line, registration, the shot and a mandatory 15 minute observation period.
One Fayette County resident who spoke with the Record confirmed Moreau’s report. The resident said he called the registration line hundreds of times on Monday and finally got through. His appointment was scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, but he decided to arrive before 8 a.m. in anticipation of long lines. He said the staff registered him right away upon arrival and administered a Moderna vaccine.
“I was in and out of there in 30 minutes,” he said.
In other coronavirus news, Fayette County’s COVID-19 dashboard on the County website continues to deviate significantly from the case numbers for Fayette County reported by the State.
According to data published by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), there are an estimated 136 active cases in Fayette County. In addition, DSHS says there have been 43 coronavirus fatalities in Fayette County. The Fayette County dashboard shows 11 confirmed active cases, 12 probable active cases and 18 deaths due to the coronavirus.
Fayette County differentiates between confirmed and probable active cases. Moreau said confirmed cases are people who tested positive for the virus with a PCR test. Probable cases are 1) those who tested positive with a rapid test or 2) those who have not been tested but they have symptoms and they live in the same house as someone else who tested positive.
Still, DSHS reported more than six times the number of cases in Fayette County than the number reported by local officials. Moreover, the dashboard on the County’s website sometimes goes several days between updates.
“The reporting has had issues, there’s no question about that,” Moreau said. “The State is backlogged on getting stuff in. The reports are backlogged by days. They’re trying to work on that, but their database isn’t capable of keeping up.
“The state provides us with a daily line list,” Moreau said. “It has all the people who are either confirmed or probable in our County, and that is delayed right now … People have a valid concern. I’m hoping it speeds up once the regional case numbers go down a little.”
Furthermore, Moreau said the information delay from the State puts local first responders at risk. He said the State’s line list includes the addresses of people who have tested positive for the virus. That information is not public, but it is used by local authorities to warn first responders in case they have to visit that address for an emergency.
