Tarrant County Public Health says ICU beds in the county are 99% full. Monday, the most recent day information was available, hospitals in county were reporting 1,323 COVID-19 patients, up from 1,175 Sunday and 881 December 1.
Judge Glen Whitley says he met with hospital executives Tuesday.
"What they're saying is they've got beds. They're beginning to have problems as far as staffing," he says.
Whitley says one hospital reported 21 nurses had tested positive for COVID-19 just in the previous 24 hours. He says the concern is shifting toward having enough doctors and nurses to treat COVID patients while still providing care for other emergencies.
"If you need to go to the hospital, if you've got an emergency, go," Whitley says. "But if you've got sniffles or you're not feeling well and you don't believe it's COVID, stay away from the hospitals. Let's not use the emergency room as our primary care doctor at this time."
Whitley is urging people to stay home over New Year's Eve.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has announced the COVID-19 vaccine is now beginning to be made available to people over 65 years and anyone with an underlying health condition. Whitley says he received his first dose Tuesday.
"My arm was a little sore last night, but I've pretty well worked that out," he says. "I just want to encourage everyone to get the vaccine as soon as possible."
Tarrant County Public Health has set up a website where people can register to be notified when appointments are available to be vaccinated based on a person's priority group.
