Current COVID-19 stats for the county and messages to all community members

Information was provided by Dr. Craig Whiting, Texas Department of State Health Services Local Health Authority, and Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator for San Saba County, and Donna Webb, Editor - San Saba News & Star

Here are the latest numbers reported to Marsha Hardy on August 27th per the Department of State Health Services [DSHS] for San Saba County:

1. New Confirmed and Probable Cases entered on 8-26-21: 3

2. Confirmed Cases Reported since 8-12-21: 27

3. Confirmed Cases Reported since 7-27-21: 44

So, in the last 30 days, San Saba County has reported 44 cases of Active Covid-19; with 27 of them being reported in the last 15 days (3 of these since Tuesday, August 24th).

Message by Dr. Craig Whiting -

The delta variant of COVID-19 continues to ravage our state. Our central Texas hospitals are filled and overflowing with people who have contracted this highly contagious virus. This virus is affecting more people, and more younger people, than the original COVID virus that appeared in 2019. This virus is so contagious and virulent that there are essentially only two options – get vaccinated or get the infection. While the vaccine, like all vaccines, is not 100% effective in preventing infection, it is more than 90% effective as demonstrated on these images from BaylorScott&White which show the percentage of people currently in their central Texas hospitals with COVID who have not been vaccinated. These graphics also demonstrate that fully vaccinated people are less likely to be severely ill. The numbers are even more telling when you consider that the majority of vaccinated people in central Texas are older, weaker individuals which means that a great number of the people most ill with COVID (the 92-93% in the ICU or on a ventilator) are the younger, more medically sound individuals.

Sadly, there is a great deal of misinformation about the COVID vaccines being spread online, in the media and by word of mouth. The COVID vaccines, like all vaccines, do carry risks. But these risks are tiny and not as much risk as contracting an infection with COVID. These vaccines do not change or attach to your DNA. They do not affect fertility or ability to reproduce. They ARE a simple, FREE way to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Area Pharmacies offering vaccine for first and booster doses (Call in advance to confirm!):

HEB Marble Falls

Offering Pfizer, Moderna & J&J – walk-in and scheduling available via phone/website

1503 Hwy 1431 West, Marble Falls, TX 78654 PH:830-693- 4810

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesdays = Moderna; Thursdays = Pfizer

HEB Lampasas Offering Moderna and

Offering Moderna and Pfizer – walk-in or scheduling via phone

105 S. Boundary Street, Lampasas, TX PH:512-961-3841

Monday-Friday, 12:00 – 4:30 Walmart Marble Falls

Walmart Marble Falls

Offering Moderna only – walk-in and scheduling available via phone/website

2700 N US Highway 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654 PH: 830-693-5529

Walmart Lampasas

Offering Moderna only – walk-in and scheduling available via phone/website

1710 North Texas Expressway, Lampasas, TX PH 512- 556-6333 CVS Marble Falls

CVS Marble Falls

Offering Pfizer & Moderna – walk-in and scheduling available via phone/website

302 Gateway N, Marble Falls, TX 78654 PH: 830-693-2374

Walgreens Marble Falls

Offering Pfizer –schedule available by phone

1211 US Highway 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654 PH: 830- 693-8417

Atkins Pharmacy Marble

Falls Offering Moderna – Same

Offering Moderna – Same day appointments available – request a call prior to arrival

701 3rd St., Marble Falls, TX 78654 PH: 830-693-2972

Kingsland Pharmacy

J&J, Pfizer, & Moderna – Walk in Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

306 Ranch Road 2900, Kingsland, TX PH:325-388-4593

Corner Drug

J&J, Pfizer & Moderna – Walk in all week during business hours

600 Bessemer Ave, Llano, TX 78643 PH:325-247-4155

Lakes Area Health Mart

Pfizer & Moderna – Call or schedule online

608 Buchanan Dr., Burnet, TX 78611 PH:512-756-8550

Bay Pharmacy

J&J, Pfizer – walk-in’s all week from 9-5

7407 West FM 2147, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 PH:830- 598-1900

COVID-19 Testing:

A person can get testing done at the BaylorScott&White clinic or the Hendrick Clinic in town. Also Everett’s Pharmacy sells a home kit that one can use to test. Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator for the county, can be contacted at 325- 372-8570 for additional testing information.

Message by Editor -

To help our community come to grips with this surge of the virus and to answer questions that you may have, you can submit your questions via email to: editor.sansabanews@centex.net, or online at the San Saba News & Star Facebook page. Questions can cover the virus and vaccine, as well as treatments that may be available.

Each week, Dr. Whiting will address a focal point of submitted questions covering the topic with pertinent information. As the Local Health Authority with Texas Department of Health Services for San Saba County, Dr. Whiting has access to resources to help find answers for the community’s concerns and inquiries. Please limit your submissions

Please limit your submissions to questions only. No opinions or criticisms will be addressed in these articles. San Saba News & Star encourages and appreciates your questions for this new series by Dr. Whiting.