Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins reported a three day total of 1,363 new COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths on Tuesday.
Gov. Greg Abbott bans any Texas entity from COVID-19 vaccine mandates, The Dallas Morning News reports. This ban is a change from August when the governor’s office said businesses had the option of requiring vaccines for employees. Federal rules on vaccines will most likely supersede the Republican governor’s rule. Abbot says, ”The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and our best defense against the virus, but should remain voluntary and never forced.”
UN chief says the pandemic has forced over 100 million people into poverty across the globe, KERA reports. United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, says global solidarity “is missing in action.” Four billion people are left with little or no social support, health care, or income protection.
Hospitalizations continue to decline in North Texas, Dallas Morning News reports. The number of North Texas patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has fallen by 50% since the most recent peak six weeks ago. UT Southwestern Medical Center’s latest model continues to predict a decline in hospitalizations.
