Lubbock reports 8 more COVID-linked deaths since Friday

Lubbock reported eight more COVID-linked deaths between Friday and Monday, with a decline in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county in the past week.

The entire South Plains region's COVID-19 hospitalization rate has generally decreased during the past week, dropping to about 7 percent as reported Monday compared to 9 percent last week, according to data provided by Texas Department of State Health Services. The city health department also reported 57 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, with a total of 1,303 active cases in the county.

The new deaths reported Monday bring the county's total to 876 people since the pandemic began, according to data provided by the city health department. That's 17 more COVID-linked deaths in a week.

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There were with 77 COVID-19 patients currently in South Plains-area hospitals. There were 353 beds available out of 1,382 staffed inpatient beds. Two weeks ago, there were 191 COVID-19 patients in hospitals in Texas' Region B, which includes Lubbock and the South Plains

Just in Lubbock County on Monday, 51 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized - 11 of them were previously vaccinated. There were 77 COVID-19 patients in Lubbock hospitals at this time last week and 122 two weeks ago.

City health officials continue to urge Lubbockites to get a free vaccination, as only 50.7 percent of eligible residents have received one or more doses.

Free COVID-19 vaccinations and testing are available through the city's mini vaccination hub in the Caprock Shopping Center.

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Beginning Monday, the COVID-19 testing site at Clapp Park is closed and a new testing site will be opened at the City of Lubbock mini vaccination hub located at 2801 50th St. in the Caprock Shopping Center. Drive-through testing will be conducted in the south parking lot. Individuals seeking testing should not enter the vaccination clinic. To access the testing site, enter the parking lot at 52nd & Canton.

Testing hours will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday - Friday. In addition to COVID-19 testing, the site will also offer flu testing. This clinic is made possible through a partnership with Texas Tech University Bioterrorism Response Laboratory. 

COVID-19 vaccinations are offered from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, as well as from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every first and third Saturday of each month.

For additional information related to COVID-19 vaccine availability, visit mylubbock.us/covid19vaccine or by calling 806-775-2293