As the nationwide shortage of monoclonal antibodies for infusion centers to administer affects the nation, East Texas facilities are awaiting the arrival of those treatments.

Major entertainment and sporting events are seeing cancellations. Hospitals in the U.S. are starting to become overwhelmed. Some states have imposed indoor mask mandates.

It’s been more than 10 months since the first COVID-19 vaccines became available in the United States. As of late November, more than half of all Texans have been fully vaccinated against the virus and, despite two spikes in cases and hospitalizations this year — the first during the winter months and the second triggered by the highly contagious delta variant during the summer — the vaccination effort has been pivotal in mitigating the pandemic.