Texas

Pediatric hospitals short on beds as respiratory illnesses surge among children

Published

2 years ago

October 29, 2022

Pediatric hospitals short on beds as respiratory illnesses surge among children

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With respiratory sicknesses spreading amongst kids extra extensively and sooner than in earlier years, hospital leaders and medical specialists say pediatric hospital beds throughout the state are briefly provide.

After two years of delicate flu seasons — a results of mitigation methods to restrict the unfold of COVID-19 — medical specialists say the variety of kids creating respiratory sicknesses is already a lot increased this yr, resulting in extra visits to well being care facilities and more and more strained sources to deal with these kids.

Consultants say the pressure stems from overburdened hospital programs nonetheless reeling from the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and a scarcity of medical suppliers.

Dr. Gerald Stagg, a pediatrician working in Mount Nice, stated instances of respiratory syncytial virus, often called RSV, and an earlier flu season have added stress to hospital programs on prime of different respiratory sicknesses attributable to COVID-19 and different viruses.

“I’ve been doing this for 42 years and I’ve by no means seen something fairly prefer it,” Stagg stated of the variety of kids needing remedy for respiratory sicknesses this yr.

With the upper charges of respiratory sicknesses, Stagg stated not solely are hospitals filling up, however clinics like his are having hassle maintaining with the massive uptick in visits from kids with the flu.

Stagg stated it’s grow to be tougher over the past two months to search out beds in bigger medical programs for sick kids who require increased ranges of care than what rural hospitals are in a position to present.

“We’ve needed to even ship children to Arkansas or Louisiana from our Texas facility as a result of we couldn’t discover a mattress,” Stagg stated.

He added that the scarcity of hospital beds is a threat to kids with severe sicknesses that aren’t respiratory as a result of there isn’t adequate house in intensive care models for them.

Carrie Kroll, the vp of advocacy, public coverage and political technique on the Texas Hospital Affiliation, stated the scarcity of pediatric beds is a workforce difficulty. Hospital programs are nonetheless coping with staffing shortages after droves of nurses and different hospital employees, affected by pandemic-related burnout, retired or left the sector.

“A mattress is a mattress. If it doesn’t have anybody to employees it, you possibly can’t put a child in it,” Kroll stated.

Hospitals have been managing with restricted employees, Kroll stated, however the surge in respiratory sicknesses and the elevated demand for pediatric care are actually straining hospital programs. Many medical specialists fear the issue will solely worsen as instances of the flu, COVID-19 and different respiratory ailments will doubtless enhance in the course of the winter.

Stacy Wilson, president and CEO of the Youngsters’s Hospital Affiliation of Texas, stated in an emailed assertion to The Texas Tribune that an early flu season and a stark enhance in RSV instances have resulted in longer wait occasions at emergency rooms, strained medical employees and fewer accessible beds.

At Driscoll Youngsters’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, the variety of visits doubled final month due to a excessive variety of viral sicknesses, Wilson stated.

“El Paso Youngsters’s Hospital has seen a 369% enhance in RSV instances since August, which is stretching restricted beds and personnel,” Wilson stated. “Equally, Covenant Youngsters’s Hospital in Lubbock has been at capability throughout the previous couple of weeks with these viruses.”

She added that this yr’s flu pressure will probably be sturdy sufficient to require inpatient take care of some kids.

However not all elements of the state are going through a scarcity of hospital house for youngsters.

Dr. Iván Meléndez, the Hidalgo County well being authority, stated his area has sufficient beds and sources to satisfy the wants of the neighborhood in the mean time.

Meléndez did warn that this yr may have considerably extra instances of the flu than earlier ones. Federal well being knowledge launched Friday reported 880,000 instances of influenza and 360 flu-related deaths nationally. The final time the nation noticed comparable charges of the flu was in 2009. And flu season has simply began; it usually spans from October to Might.

Earlier this month, Hidalgo County reported one of many first deaths of a kid because of the flu this season.

“We’re considering this can be the third because the flip of the century of being a ‘high-flu’ yr,” Meléndez stated.

He stated the prevalence of the flu this yr is an unintended consequence of masking and isolating in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a neighborhood, worldwide, we didn’t develop these antibodies which might be often current locally at some degree to guard folks,” he stated.

To deal with the surge of respiratory sicknesses, Meléndez and different medical specialists strongly really useful vaccinations towards the flu and COVID-19.

Wilson additionally urged mother and father to not search emergency take care of non-emergency medical situations, like routine testing and delicate signs, to keep away from clogging up hospitals and clinics.

Disclosure: The Texas Hospital Affiliation has been a monetary supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan information group that’s funded partially by donations from members, foundations and company sponsors. Monetary supporters play no position within the Tribune’s journalism. Discover a full listing of them right here.

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Texas

I’ve traveled all over Texas. This small town in the Hill Country captivated me the most.

Published

1 hour ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

I’ve traveled all over Texas. This small town in the Hill Country captivated me the most.

I arrived at the San Antonio International Airport and stepped outside to meet my ride. The dry, hot air gave me an instant flashback to my days intermittently working in the West Texas oilfield. I’ve seen quite a bit of the Lone Star State and couldn’t wait to get to Fredericksburg. I’d heard so much about this cute historical German town in the Texas Hill Country.

After an hour’s drive, the shuttle driver and my host said, “We’re on Wine Road 290.” The county has over 75 wineries, vineyards, and wine-tasting rooms. I thought, “What a perfect getaway for Texans and travelers flying into the area.”

A unique stay in a whimsical hideaway

Blue Sage No. 12

I wasn’t surprised to see the rolling hills as we drove toward the property I was staying at outside town. But I was astonished at how green this part of Texas was, especially since I was visiting at the end of the summer. I learned that Fredericksburg is home to the largest working wildflower farm, Wildseed Farms, and seeing the fields of flowers is a popular activity during the spring. People come from all over to admire the bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and red poppies.

We pulled up to Blue Sage, where I was staying, and I was instantly excited to check in to my accommodations — No. 12. The dark blue treehouse-inspired cottages looked like they belonged in a fairy tale. As I toured the inside of mine, I was awed by the warm and inviting boho decor. The loft room, with a giant soak tub overlooking the woods, was grounding, and I knew I had found a comfy weekday retreat.

After resting and freshening up from the long travel day, I met with friends to enjoy cocktails at Chase’s Place Cocktails + Kitchen in Fredericksburg’s historic district. We sipped and savored a handcrafted cocktail and a few small bites in their relaxing lounge area before heading to Hill & Vine for dinner. Known for their Southern staples, trying Texas wine and their black-eyed pea hummus was delicious.

Hike at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Enchanted Rock on a blue sky day / Ashlee hiking the Summit Trail

In 2023, over 300,000 people visited Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. It’s a popular place for hiking, camping, and bird-watching – many migratory birds fly through.

The iconic rock feature is one billion years old, and you can hike to the top of the pink granite dome along the Summit Trail. The climb is steep, but the views of Hill Country are worth the trek.

Planning tip: Be sure to make reservations to visit the park. October through May are the busiest times of the year to explore, and parking is limited.

After hiking, we drove back into town for lunch at Hill Country Herb Garden. Their menu is curated with wellness in mind and rotates seasonally. I had a beautiful kale and quinoa salad with steak, just what my body needed after the morning’s hike. After lunch, we toured the herb gardens, gift shop, and spa — they make custom scents. There are even 14 quaint little cottages on the property you can book for lodging.

Learn about Fredericksburg’s German heritage

Outside of the Vereins Kirche Museum / Lunch at the Hill Country Herb Garden

Germans immigrated to the area in the mid-1800s after being enticed by promises of a new life. It wasn’t just Germans; Danish and Swiss settlers also made their way to Fredericksburg. You can learn more about the town’s history at the Vereins Kirche Museum and the Pioneer Museum.

You can do a self-guided tour of a historic homestead at the Pioneer Museum and see inside the buildings, including a traditional Sunday house. A Sunday house is where families that lived out of town and worked on farms and ranches would stay on the weekends so they could attend church.

After an exciting day of hiking and tours, we ended the evening with an Italian-inspired dinner at Alla Campagna. The savory Heritage Chicken Risotto and a Texas white wine were the perfect way to end the day. I couldn’t resist topping the day off with a few bites of homemade chocolate, vanilla, and pistachio gelato.

A morning of local retail therapy

Row of cowboy boots at Allens Boots / Breakfast at the Keidel Pharmacy

The following day, we drove into town and had breakfast at Keidel Pharmacy inside the new Albert Hotel (the largest hotel on the main street, opening in January 2025). I was pleased to start the day with a piece of gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake and an almond milk London Fog latte.

Afterward, I spent a few hours window shopping and checking out all the cute local stores, such as Carol Hicks Bolton, Blackchalk Home + Laundry, Allens Boots, and Flying Cow Tallow.

For lunch, we grabbed a glass of rosé and a quick salad at Standard Public House before heading to the vineyards for wine tasting.

Discover Fredericksburg’s wine scene

Wine tasting at Meierstone Vineyards / Airis’Ele Vineyards — Meierstone Vineyards / Airis’Ele Vineyards

While traveling, there is something glamorous and fun about visiting local wineries, hearing stories from the owners, and tasting wine. Our first stop was Meierstone Vineyards. Krystal Patel’s family has been making 100% Texas wine for seven generations, starting in the 1840s. I loved the white wine flight, and their 2023 Trebbiano was my favorite.

Next, we visited Airis’Ele Vineyards. Their team has over 40 years of experience in the wine business. I found their wine-tasting room welcoming, with big windows for Summer Tanager bird-watching. Their sweet Bienvenue was refreshing, especially on a hot day.

Don’t miss this family-run farmstand

Last, we headed to Das Peach Haus farmstand, which has been in business for over 50 years. The Fischer & Wieser family business sells local wines made from 100% Texas grapes, fruit jams, jellies, sauces, and other delectable artisanal goods.

Deanna Fischer, the Chief Experience Officer, shared that the company’s goal is to “Create flavorful experiences that make people happy.”

You can sample many of the farmstand’s specialty foods to select your favorites before purchasing. I appreciated that each jar provides examples of how to pair it with your next happy hour hors d’œuvre or cozy dinner at home. You can also take one of their cooking classes or have a hand-crafted cocktail at Dietz Distillery, which is next door.

It’s nice to see places like this still preserving family, food, and faith in the community.

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Texas

Where is Texas vs. Arizona? Peach Bowl game location info, details, CFP schedule

Published

9 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Where is Texas vs. Arizona? Peach Bowl game location info, details, CFP schedule

Texas football is preparing to face the champion of its old conference in the College Football Playoff, with Big 12 champion Arizona State awaiting in the Peach Bowl.

Texas was tested in the first round, defeating Clemson 34-24 behind a rejuvenated running attack led by Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner. However, the Sun Devils, winners of six straight games, also have a fierce rushing attack led by running back Cam Skattebo, who has run for 1,568 yards rushing and 22 total touchdowns.

BUY TICKETS FOR TEXAS VS. ARIZONA STATE HERE

The Peach Bowl is held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta the same site of Texas’ loss to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game. The winner will advance to the Cotton Bowl, where Ohio State or Big Ten champion Oregon will await. Ohio State advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Tennessee at home, 42-17.

Here’s everything to know about the upcoming game:

Where is Texas vs Arizona State?

Texas will travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to face Arizona State. It is also the location of the national championship game.

CFP Bowl locations

Peach Bowl

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Matchup: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 4 Arizona State

Fiesta Bowl

Location: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Matchup: No. 3 Boise State vs. No. 6 Penn State

Sugar Bowl

Location: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Matchup: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

Rose Bowl

Location: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Matchup: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Oregon

Texas vs. Arizona State tickets

Tickets for Texas’ game against Arizona State are available here.

CFP schedule

Playoff quarterfinals

All times in CT

Tuesday, Dec. 31

Fiesta Bowl, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 1

Peach Bowl, noon

Rose Bowl, 4 p.m.

Sugar Bowl, 7:45 p.m.

Playoff semifinals

All times in CT

Thursday, Jan. 9

Orange Bowl, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 10

Cotton Bowl, 6:30 p.m.

Playoff Championship

Monday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. CT

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Texas

Texas Longhorns vs. Arizona State Sun Devils College Football Playoff Preview

Published

17 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Texas Longhorns vs. Arizona State Sun Devils College Football Playoff Preview

The Texas Longhorns are three games away from a national championship, and for the quarterfinal matchup against Arizona State, the Horns will travel to a familiar field.

Texas will take on the Sun Devils at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, the same venue that hosted the SEC Championship loss to Georgia.

The new opponents have a similar story to Texas: a conference newcomer that dominated the veterans.

Arizona State joined Texas’ former conference, the Big 12, and had a breakthrough season. The Sun Devils defeated Iowa State in the conference championship to take the trophy home in their maiden season.

The Sun Devils are led by redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, a transfer from Michigan State. Leavitt has recorded 192 completions in 304 passing attempts for 24 touchdowns.

The defense is also led by a transfer player out of New Mexico State. Junior defensive back Myles Rowser has recorded 88 tackles and one sack.

Arizona State only dropped two games this season, both in conference play at Cincinnati and Texas Tech. The season record and championship clinch earned the Sun Devils the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff, awarding them with a bye week in the first round.

Texas, on the other hand, fell to Georgia in the championship game and dropped to the fifth seed, while the Bulldogs earned the second. But that wasn’t enough to stop the Longhorns from advancing.

The Horns had no issues defeating ACC champion Clemson in the first round at home.

Texas and Arizona State will face each other on New Year’s Day for a spot in the semifinals.

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