COVID-19 death toll up to 47; vaccines available

COVID-19 has claimed its 47th person in Milam County. It has been one year since the first COVID-19 fatality was reported in the county.

"The virus is still here in Milam County. It is alive and well. It is a killer. It can attack at any time. It does not discriminate. It likes the old and the young, the black and the white. And today, we have a 47th Milam County COVID-19 death to report. Another needless death. Another real person died. Another family grieves," Milam County Judge Steve Young said in his daily email. "It does not have to be this way. We can stop this killer in its tracks. All we have to do is get vaccinated. All we have to do is get two shots that are free and virtually painless. All we have to do is get a vaccine that is proven to be 94% effective against preventing serious COVID-19 illness and death. A vaccine that over 925 million people have taken. A vaccine that has not caused a single death."

"If you have not had a shot, please get it. We have lots of shots available on Friday and we are even taking walk-ins." he said. "If you have been vaccinated, we say: Thank you!"

Wednesday the county administered 320 doses of the Moderna vaccine; 14 first-round and 306 second-round shots. This brings the Milam County shot count up to 8,158. Today, the county will run a 300-dose second-round Moderna clinic in Rockdale in cooperation with the military. On Friday there will be a large first-round clinic in Rockdale at 1700 Brazos. On Friday, we will take walk-ins, so anyone 18 years of age or older can get a shot without an appointment. Of course, it is faster if you call and get on the list: 254-697-7000. However, appointments are not necessary on Friday.

Consent forms: 

First-Round Consent Forms: http://www.milamcounty.net/upload/page/9873/VACCINE%201.pdf

Second-Round Consent Forms: http://www.milamcounty.net/upload/page/9873/VACCINE%202.pdf

COVID-19 numbers:

1,411 total PCR – up 1

9 active PCR cases – no change

1,084 antigen cases – no change

1 active antigen cases – down 1

10 active cases in Milam County – down 1

4 hospitalized – no change

198 hospitalized since the pandemic began – no change

1 on a ventilator – no change

47 fatalities – up 1