Cases climb, Omicron confirmed in SETX

With Beaumont continuing to average more than 100 new COVID-19 cases each day as the new year begins and Southeast Texas confirming its first two cases of the more contagious Omicron variant, local doctors and health care officials say the message remains the same: Get vaccinated, and wear a mask.

“We went from having five or 10 a day three weeks ago to averaging over 100 a day, so we’re seeing a huge spike,” Beaumont Public Health Director Kenneth Coleman told The Examiner. “We’re seeing such a huge spike across the nation, and the Omicron variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant. Right now, the Omicron variant is the dominant variant in the country, so I wouldn’t doubt that it’s here.”

While the Port Arthur Health Department reported its first two confirmed cases of the Omicron COVID variant Wednesday, Dec. 29, according to a news release, the Beaumont Health Department confirmed 279 cases Dec. 29, after reporting 1,095 confirmations in the seven days prior.

“One patient is identified as a male resident of Groves between the ages of 65-70,” Port Arthur officials wrote. “The other is a male resident of Port Arthur between the ages of 40-44. One of the individuals had been vaccinated, but the vaccination status of the other individual has not been determined. One of the individuals had been hospitalized but is now recovering at home.

“Public health officials state that COVID cases are rising significantly. COVID vaccines are still being administered at the Texas Artists Museum, 3501 Cultural Center Drive, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information call (409) 332-6215 or (409) 983-8832.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the Omicron strain as being less virulent and less deadly than Delta, but Coleman says that’s really only true for vaccinated individuals. For the unvaccinated and people with underlying health conditions, according to Coleman, the Omicron variant can be just as deadly as the Delta variant.

“Hardin County Health Services reported to me that the number of new confirmed cases for the period of December 21-27 is 90,” Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel said. “We were only seeing 10-15 new cases per week just a few weeks ago. The total number of active cases stands at 146 – this is the first time we have exceeded 100 active cases since October 26.

“We have been here before, and we know what to do in order to mitigate the spread of COVID, and all communicable illnesses, to others. It appears this surge may not last as long as the others, but there is the potential for higher exposure to people due to this variant being more contagious than the previous ones. Please do all you can to protect yourself and others.”

“The message hasn’t changed,” Coleman agreed. “We are still encouraging people who have not gotten their vaccine to get vaccinated. We are asking people to get their booster if it’s been six months since their first dose. And we’re continuing to ask people to wear masks, especially when they’re indoors.

“Avoid large crowds, especially if you don’t know that person’s vaccination status. We have New Year’s Eve coming up, so we want people to be mindful and vigilant about large gatherings. So, the message hasn’t changed. The cases had gotten low in October, and we just have a tendency to get complacent and think the pandemic is over. The pandemic is not over, as we can see now.”

Vaccines in abundance

When it comes to searching for a vaccination location, Southeast Texans have numerous options from local pharmacies to national chains.

The Vidor Brookshire Brothers will accept walk-in applicants, while national chains like CVS and Walgreens ask customers to call or register online. In Beaumont, the vaccine is available at four CVS locations, all five Walgreens, both H-E-B stores, King’s Pharmacy, Walmart and each Kroger location. Groves vaccine appointments can be made at Bruce’s Pharmacy and Walgreens. The Magnolia Avenue Market Basket is also offering vaccine doses. Lumberton-bound vaccine-seekers can find doses at the Brookshire Brothers on Main Street, although the store asks residents to call ahead. Lumberton’s Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and King Pharmacy locations all offer vaccine doses.

The Beaumont Public Health Department is also administering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment only, and applicants can register online at beaumonttexas.gov. Those who are unable to access the website are asked to call (409) 550-2536 for further assistance. This covers citizens in Hardin, Jefferson, Jasper, Newton and Orange counties.