Corpus Christi OKs funds for more vaccinations

Rise in COVID-19 cases prompts emergency action 

The rapid emergence of the delta variant in COVID-19 cases in Nueces County has put city leaders on alert, leading the City Council to approve funds for short-term staffing for vaccination drives. 
The Corpus Christi City Council authorized a two-year service agreement with Unique Employment I Ltd. of Corpus Christi, not to exceed $1 million, for temporary staffing for health clinic services related to COVID-19 for the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District. Temporary positions will be secured to respond to the vaccination efforts.
Almost 10 percent of the population of Nueces County (362,294 in 2019) has been confirmed to have had COVID-19. Another 15,844 probable cases puts the total number of afflicted at nearly 14 percent of the county. Reported deaths total 767, or almost 1.5 percent of those contracting the virus that causes COVID-19.
The funds for staffing the vaccination clinics will come from a COVID-19 Vaccination Capacity Contract Grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services as part of an $18 million grant awarded to the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District.
The service agreement will provide qualified temporary personnel for positions including, but not limited to, phone bank operators, office/data entry clerks, EMTs, and medical personnel such as medical assistants, LVNs and RNs.
“Today, the City Council made an investment to ensure we have the personnel we need in our health district,” Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo said. “We are building our capacity and planning for greater vaccination distributions through our many community outreach programs.”
Several vaccination clinics are located in Corpus Christi with online registration.
At 5 p.m. Aug. 25, the city of Corpus Christi and Nueces County will have a joint news conference to brief the public on the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The public is encouraged to view the briefing live on either of the following communication channels: Facebook @citygov or YouTube CCTVCorpusChristi.