Last Thursday, Jan. 21, Bellville Medical Center staff celebrated the departure of Maude Browning, a 103-year-old Bellville resident, six days after a triumph over not only COVID-19 but also a case of pneumonia.

“There are a few 100-year-old-plus people that have recovered, but it’s rare. It’s also a testament that we can take care of that kind of a patient in Austin County,” said Nancy Dornon, marketing director for BMC. “It was really a privilege. Everybody was so honored to help take care of her and get her back home.”

Browning was able to stay in her backyard for care and was accompanied by one of her 13 children when she was discharged in Jennifer Irving.

In an update from the hospital over the weekend, Irving told Bellville Medical Center that she “wants everyone to know that Dr. (Christophe) Gay, the nurses, housekeeping, food service and the entire BMC staff were truly excellent, with so much love and care. The Browning family is so appreciative of all their sincere efforts in taking care of our Mother. We give thanks to God for his Grace and Mercy.”

The success story is now part of Austin County’s estimated 1,313 cases deemed recovered by the Department of State Health Services as of Monday evening. At that time, there was also a record of 22 fatalities and an estimated 164 active cases.

Austin County Judge Tim Lapham said in his Monday afternoon update that 1,383 residents had received at least one dose of the vaccine by that time. He said that was 5.5% of the estimated 25,584 residents over the age of 16.

He, as well as Bellville Medical Center, also said no more doses were scheduled to be delivered to Austin County this week but 2,000 more doses arrived at the Waller County Fairgrounds, the closest state-run rural county vaccination subHUB to the area.

However, because of high demand and already full waitlists, it has not been an easy task to get a dose of the vaccine. Dornon suggested those interested in getting vaccinated get themselves on as many lists as possible. She added that once a vaccine dose is received from one location, the receiver should take themselves off of the other waitlists so the slot can reopen at that facility.

“When we were doing vaccines, if people didn’t come to their appointment, we went to the next person in line so we didn’t waste one vaccine,” Dornon said. “There’s a timing issue that if you don’t use them within a certain amount of time, you have to throw them away but we were not going to waste one.”

Dornon said calls can be made to a primary care provider to get qualified residents prioritized for a COVID-19 vaccine. To reach the vaccination subHUB in Waller County, call 979-337- 8420 or 800-845-8035.

“Dr. (Christophe) Gay, the nurses, housekeeping, food service and the entire BMC staff were truly excellent, with so much love and care.”

— JENNIFER IRVING