With the COVID-19 vaccine now available to all Texans over the age of 16, the City of Fort Worth has launched a month-long initiative in hopes of encouraging more locals to get the shot.
Throughout April, which is being dubbed "COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness & Education Month," the city will share articles via the City News page of its website and social media, with information on topics like how vaccines work or what to expect during an appointment.
“We all need to step up to beat COVID-19,” Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said in a statement. “We ask you to join us in protecting yourself, your family and friends, and our community by getting vaccinated. A COVID-19 vaccination is one of the strongest tools we can use to fight this pandemic together. We want everyone in our community to be safe and get back to hugging our families and friends and shaking hands with our neighbors.”
COVID-19 cases have been declining since February, according to Tarrant County Public Health statistics. The last rise in cases occurred the week of Feb. 27 with 3,321 positive tests reported; that's compared to the week of March 27, during which Tarrant County reported 1,137 cases. Deaths are on the decline as well, with 107 deaths reported the week of Feb. 20, compared to six deaths the week of March 27.
On Monday, Tarrant County reported 14 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 3,314 confirmed deaths and 243,299 recoveries.
“The impact of COVID-19 on our lives, our activities, and our freedom has affected us all,” fire chief James Davis said in a statement. “The responsibility is ours, as a community, to help stop this virus. Now we have safe and effective tools to help us do that — COVID-19 vaccines.”
