Most U.S. states and jurisdictions are experiencing substantial or high levels of community transmission fueled by the spread of the highly contagious B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. COVID- 19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to increase, es- pecially in communities with lower vaccination coverage like McLennan County. In the past 7 days, we have seen a 46%, 85%, and 350& increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities in McLennan County. While the number of people getting vaccinated also continues to increase, many people re- main unsure about getting vaccinated, and others do not plan to do so.

On July 27, 2021, CDC announced updated Guidance for COVID- 19 Prevention Strategies based on emerging evidence of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. CDC recommends that all people, re- gardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. A new CDC study supports previous findings that B.1.617.2 (Delta) is highly contagious, and is contributing to an increase in cases, including those with severe outcomes and those due to vaccine breakthrough infections. While vaccinated people can still develop COVID-19, they are far less likely to get severely sick or die than people who are unvaccinated.

Vaccination is the best tool we have for protecting ourselves and our loved ones against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States continue to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The Health District currently offers all three types of vaccine, including Pfizer, which is approved for ages 12+. Appointments and walk-ins are available in our community-based clinics, as well as at our main location at 225 W. Waco Dr. where vaccine is available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Vaccination is the simplest and most effective measure to help end this pandemic, and the Health District will continue to make every effort to make the COVID-19 vaccine available and accessible to our community.

3 July 31– August 6, 2021

VACCINATIONS

Vaccines administered People who received at least 1 dose People fully vaccinated 186,736 107,730 90,551

United States Texas McLennan County Percentage of Population 12+ Vaccinated with At 68.1% 62.8% 49.9% Least One Dose

Percentage of Population 12+ Fully Vaccinated 58.4% 53.2% 42%

Percentage of Population 65+ Vaccinated with At 90.2% 83.8% 79.1% Least One Dose

Percentage of Population 65+ Fully Vaccinated 80.3% 75.3% 69.6%

The following table shows the demographic breakdown of persons who are vaccinated with at least one dose in the US, State of Texas, McLen- nan County, and at the Health District hub US Texas McLennan County Health District Hub Race and Ethnicity White, Non-Hispanic 58.4% 35.35% 53.59% 64.6% Black, Non-Hispanic 9.6% 7.7% 9.37% 10.82% Hispanic, of any race 16.8% 32.24% 17.05% 18.3% Asian, Non-Hispanic 6% 6.21% 2.48% 0.97%

Age 12-15 years of age 3.5% 4.3% 2.5% 0.4% 16-64 years of age 70.5% 74.8% 69.8% 61.3% 65+ years of age 26% 20.5% 27.9% 36.7%

4 July 31– August 6, 2021

HEALTH DISTRICT VACCINATION CLINICS

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District began administering COVID-19 vaccinations in December of 2020 and was named as a State Vaccination Hub in January of 2021. The first mass vaccination clinic was held on January 12, 2021. Between January and May of 2021 the Health District hosted 61 days of mass vaccinations clinics and administered nearly 50,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. As the demand for COVID-19 vaccine slowed in Figure 1. Community-based vaccination clinics hosted by the Health District May, the Health District transitioned its focus to planning and hosting community-based vaccination clinics. A total of 45 community-based vaccination clinics (Figure 1) have been hosted in a variety of locations, including large employers, churches, schools, homeless shelters, and various community events such as Juneteenth celebra- tions and the “Waco Civic on 7th” series of events in Downtown Waco. Our focus has been to target our high-risk vulnerable population to ensure equi- table vaccine distribution. Because only about one quarter of our black and Hispanic populations are currently vaccinated for COVID-19, we have worked to schedule vaccination clinics at places that are trusted and familiar to our communities of color such as churches, employers, and schools. A total 1115 doses of vaccine have been administered through our community-based clinics in areas with low vaccination rates (Figure 2). An additional 19 clinics are currently scheduled, with new dates and locations being added daily. The Health District currently offers all three types Figure 2. Percent of population vaccinated by Zip Code of vaccine, including Pfizer, which is approved for ages 12+. Appointments and walk-ins are available in our community-based clinics, as well as at our main location at 225 W. Waco Dr. where vaccine is available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Vaccination is the simplest and most effective measure to help end this pandemic, and the Health District will continue to make every effort to make the COVID-19 vaccine available and accessible to our community.

5 July 31– August 6, 2021

HEALTH DISTRICT VACCINATION CLINICS

Locations of community-based vaccination clinics scheduled by the Health District

Sul Ross First Baptist Church 2nd Missionary Baptist La Vega High School HOWMET Aerospace Waco Civic on 7th Estella Maxey Sanderson Farms M&M Mars Waco High Athletics AAFES China Spring ISD SpaceX McLennan County The Hangar McLennan County Indigent City of Waco Employee Clinic Channel Control Merchants St. Francis Waco ISD-University Cafeteria Coca Cola Waco Police Department Bash Salvation Army Greater Harvest Assembly Church Mighty Wind Church Bubbas 33 Austin Park Methodist Children's Home Brazos Park East Valley Mills High School ICS Jail Supplies, Inc. Mart High School Waco ISD UHS Gym Waco ISD Family Fun Fest St. Paul Episcopal Church University High School Meyer Clinic Living Witness Missionary Church TSTC McLennan County Jail Delta Inn Harmony Science Academy Waco Housing MCC

6 July 31– August 6, 2021

REPORTED CASES

Week of July 24-30, Week of July 31-August Percent Change from previous week 2021 6, 2021 to this week New Cases 619 905 +46.2% Confirmed Cases 365 549 +50.4% Probable Cases 254 356 +40.2% Total Cases 29,062 29,967 +3.1% Total Active Cases 661 866 +31% Total Recovered Cases 27,931 28,623 +2.5% 7-day average number of cases 88.43 129.29 +46.2% 7-day incidence rate per 100k 34.46 50.38 +46.2%

DEMOGRAPHICS AND TRENDS OF REPORTED CASES

Additional data can be found on covidwaco.com

7 July 31– August 6, 2021

COMPARISON BETWEEN OLD AND NEW

The following graphs compare COVID-19 cases from the beginning of the pandemic to those received since April 2021. (When all adults were eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines). As shown in the graphs below, since April 2021 we have seen a steep increase in hospitalizations and fatalities among persons less than 60 years of age. Additionally, 94% of the fatalities andan esti- mated 85-95% of persons admitted in both the hospitals since April 2021 were unvaccinated.

8 July 31– August 6, 2021

REPORTED HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND FATALITIES

Week of July 24-30, Week of July 31-August Percent Change from previous 2021 6, 2021 week to this week

7-day average number of hospital ad- 48.71 90.0 +84.7% missions

COVID Hospitalizations out of Total <15% <15% N/A Hospital Capacity (Percent) by TSA over the week New Fatalities 2 9 +350%

Total Fatalities 470 479

PLEASE NOTE: Approximately 85-95% of the hospitalized cases and fatalities reported since April 2021 are unvaccinated.

TRENDS OF HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND FATALITIES

Additional data can be found on covidwaco.com

9 July 31– August 6, 2021

TESTING

Total Tests Reported 7-day average Test 7-day average % Positivity 215,714 319 22%

The number of COVID-19 tests that come back positive (percent positivity) continues to increase. The 7-day average of percent positivity from all tests for McLen- nan County is now 22%.

SARS-CoV-2 VARIANTS

Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are circulating globally, including within the United States. To date, four variants have been classified as a variant of concern (VOC). Nationally, the proportion of cases attributed to B.1.617.2 (Delta) is predicted to increase to 93%; B.1.1.7 (Alpha) proportion is predicted to decrease to 2.9%; P.1 (Gamma) proportion is predicted to decrease to 1.3%; and B.1.351 (Beta) is predicted to decrease to below 0.1%.

As of August 3, 2021, 15% of the total cases reported in Texas are caused by the Alpha variant and 62% are caused by the Delta variant. McLennan County currently has reported 61 cases of the Alpha variant, 28 cases of the Delta variant, and one case of the Gamma variant.

END OF REPORT

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