The highly contagious Delta Covid variant has pushed hospitals to their limits. The Level One Red advisory asks residents to stay home unless they are vaccinated.
County judge Lina Hidalgo says not enough people have gotten the shots. "A lot of what turned the tide in the past, in previous waves is that we were able to implement public health recommendations that have proven to be more effective."
She is also asking anyone out and about to wear a mask. And that's all the county judge can do. Local governments cannot mandate orders.
Hidalgo says Covid patients this go around are some 20 years younger on average. It's not just hospitals that face staffing shortages. Houston Mayor Sylvester turner adds the virus is currently infecting 89 cases amongst municipal workers, 68 Houston police officers and 40 Houston firefighters.
Dr. David Persse, head of the Houston Health Authority says hospitals are running out of room. "The crisis is occurring. If you have a heart attack or you break your ankle falling down the stairs, it may take a long time to get an ambulance to you and we're going to have a hard time finding a hospital that's going to take care of you.
He adds in the last 24 hours, over 300 new Covid patients were admitted to Houston hospitals, which is a 500% increase from a months ago. Persse says there are 25 times more new cases than the city saw one month ago.
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