Mayor Pete Saenz Reflects on Laredo’s Healthcare Needs During COVID-19 Third Wave
Written by admin, Aug 26, 2021, 0 Comments
Courtesy Noraida Negron,
Laredo, Texas – The City of Laredo continues to see an increase in COVID-19 new infections with a total of 871 active cases in our community. Of the cases reported in August (2,774) 33 percent are between the ages of 0-18. These alarming numbers has prompted City of Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz to reflect on Laredo’s healthcare needs during this third wave. Below is his statement:
As we all know, the current Covid-19 health risks and the treatment limitations in Laredo are dire.
As a community, we are facing the following:
1. No vaccines for children 12 and younger;
2. No Pediatric IC Unit;
3. A strong probability we’ll experience an “Apex of cases” in the first, second or third week of September;
4. A strong probability that no transfer of patients to outside hospitals will occur (given that the same dire conditions will be faced by those patient accepting hospitals);
5. No state medical staff coming to Laredo in the next 2-3 weeks;
6. Daily Hospital overflows;
7. Frequent Hospital Diversions;
During this challenging time, the City’s objective is to mitigate and prevent as much illness as possible, primarily in our schools.
For such reasons, the City’s Health Authority took the following action on our schools:
• Imposed a mask mandate;
• Made a strong recommendation to vaccinate any eligible students, teachers and staff;
• Weekly Covid-19 testing for those not willing to be vaccinated
Also, for those reasons the City is asking the Courts to allow the City to:
• Require city employees be vaccinated .
The City’s objective is not to infringe on individual liberties directly or unreasonably. I ask those that feel infringed upon to consider some of the exceptions or limitations accepted by society, such as: safety mandates, car seat belts and child safety seats.
I, along with council members, City management, staff and so many other stake holders within our community are doing everything possible to safeguard and protect you, your family, and our entire community to the best of our ability.
