DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – An increase in COVID positivity tests in Dallas County has Parkland Health officials encouraging those eligible to receive the vaccine now that students and teachers have returned to the classroom.
The latest spike in COVID cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), directly correlates to the time children returned to the classroom. From mid-April to August 31 Dallas County Health and Human Services reported a nearly 30% spike in positive PCR COVID-19 tests. The positivity rate has gone up from less than 20% to over 30% again in one week.
In addition, the Texas Department of State Health Services reports that fewer than 3% of children in Dallas County under 5 have received a first dose of the COVID vaccine.
“Young children who are at home and not in school full time yet will be better protected if their parents or guardians are vaccinated,” said Joseph Chang, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Parkland. “That’s another reason to get those around your children vaccinated. It’s an important and effective move to protect our young ones.”
New COVID-19 boosters designed to fight the virus’ omicron variant, authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, are expected to begin shipping soon.
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