COVID-19 cases falling in Lubbock

Just as New Mexico’s COVID-19 cases are decreasing - no deaths were reported Sunday or Monday — the Lubbock Health Department is reporting good news. No Lubbock County deaths were linked to the virus from March 23 through Monday.

Just as much as they’re being credited for keeping the case count low, vaccines are being credited for preventing long-term illnesses and death for the increasingly few people who do still test positive.

“These vaccines protect us from getting COVID, and more importantly, if we were to get it by some outside chance, (the vaccines) are nearly flawless when it comes to preventing serious illness and death,” Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope said during a news conference last week. “And that’s what we want to protect our community from ... Don’t procrastinate. Please, please get your shot.”

There have been 723 deaths linked to COVID-19 in Lubbock County since the pandemic began, according to data provided by the health department.

Vaccines are available this week to everyone 18-years-old and above at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

The Amarillo Civic Center also offers free vaccines.

Vaccines are free.

In Lubbock, vaccines can be booked online at mylubbock.info/covid19vaccine or by calling the health department at 806-775-2933.

Reservations are not required in Amarillo.

As of Monday, there were 161 active COVID-19 cases in Lubbock County.

Last week marked two weeks since Texas’ mask mandate and occupancy restrictions were lifted. Cases did not continue spiking.

The health department says about 33% of the Lubbock County population has received at least their first dose of the available vaccines.

On Monday, there were 20 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Lubbock County.