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A Texas hospital is so overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases that a man shot six times has waited a week for surgery

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3 years ago

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  • Houston man Joel Valdez is awaiting surgery to repair broken bones after having been shot six times.

  • The hospital he’s in is overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases. Valdez has been waiting in his hospital bed since last Saturday.

  • A spokesperson told Fox 26 that doctors at Ben Taub Hospital have to balance cases because of spiking COVID-19 numbers.

A Texas man who was shot six times one week ago is anxiously awaiting surgery at a Houston hospital, where doctors are struggling to respond to COVID-19 cases.

Joel Valdez, a local business owner from Houston, Texas, told Fox 26 Houston that he’s been waiting for surgery since last Saturday, August 7.

“Everybody is really surprised I’m still in this bed a week later,” he told Fox 26 from his hospital room at Ben Taub. Valdez had been leaving a grocery store last Saturday morning when a stranger shot him six times in the neck and shoulder.

Three of those shots left one of his shoulders broken, the body part on which he’s waiting to get surgery.

“Having broken bones and bullets in me for over a week now, it’s a little frustrating,” Valdez said.

Ben Taub’s ICU is at 98% capacity, a spokesperson told Fox 26. About a third of those ICU patients are being treated for the coronavirus, the spokesperson said.

Dr. Joseph Varon (right) speaks to a patient in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas on December 29, 2020.. Go Nakamura/Getty Images

When reached for comment, the Harris Health System, which operates Ben Taub Hospital, told Insider the doctors at Ben Taub prioritize cases each day because of spiking COVID-19 numbers driven by the Delta variant.

“In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases overwhelming the hospitals of Harris Health System, our medical experts review all surgical cases throughout the day to determine the acuity level and patient’s overall condition,” said Amanda Callaway, spokesperson with the Harris Health System.

“Due to strained resources, surgical patients are being prioritized based on several factors, which unfortunately may result in a delay of non-emergent surgical procedures. Harris Health and its medical partners are working diligently to provide the best possible care during these difficult times,” Callaway continued.

Valdez’s case comes as the Delta variant surges in Texas. More than 10,000 Texans have been hospitalized as of August 10, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Compared to the past week, that figure reflects an increase of nearly 3,000 patients.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in June issued an executive order barring mask mandates and vaccine passports. Businesses that violate the order will receive fines of up to $1,000.

Health officials are still urging all Americans to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, especially as the Delta variant continues to spike in various parts of the country. About 52% of the US population is fully vaccinated, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

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Okwesilieze Holds 20th Anniversary & Induction in Houston

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8 months ago

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August 24, 2023

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The Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria International Inc., Houston, Texas will be hosting its 20th anniversary and induction ceremony on October 7, 2023, at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall on 825 Creekbend Drive in Houston. The event starts at 8.00 pm. According to the Founder, CEO, and National President, Dr. Mrs. Gboliwe Chukwu (Ochiora), the event will highlight a thread of historical moments relevant to the group as well as pay tribute to the departed members.

“This is a great moment for our group if you recall how we started and how far we have gone. Also, do not forget that the Houston Chapter is the very first in North America to be fully registered and incorporated. So celebrating this in Houston, which by the way is the headquarters means so much to us,” Dr. Chukwu said.
Group leaders and members from all over the world are expected. In addition, many Houston community and political leaders are on the guest list. Guests will also witness the induction of new members.

The Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria was founded in 1976 by the wives of the original People’s Club of Nigeria in Enugu. The First induction took place on April 1, 1978, in Enugu-Nigeria. Today, the club has grown extensively with numerous chapters around the world. On January 21, 2003, the Texas Chapter was founded and officially inaugurated by Dr. Mrs. Chukwu
On October 11, 2003, the Lifetime National President, Chief Mrs. Alice Nwandu led a delegation of original group leaders, founders, and members from Nigeria to preside over the launching of the Houston Chapter. It was launched as a non-profit organization designed for women of substance and means. The goal according to Dr. Mrs. Chukwu was to “Sufficiently address issues that affect the quality of life of the Nigerian Women, their families, and the society in both the United States and Back home.”

She continued, “Our mission is to keep promoting family values and harness our members for wellness, economic opportunities, and other activities; helping less fortunate women, abused, and the homeless through our influence and operations.”
For more information about this event, please contact 281-772-5548 or 832-746-4988.

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Houston’s Church Partners with Christian Association of Nigeria to host National Bible Quiz Competition

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8 months ago

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August 22, 2023

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The Voice of Evangelism International (VOEI) in Houston, Texas in partnership with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will be hosting the 2023 Champion of Champions National Bible Quiz Competition in Abuja Nigeria. The event themed “The Word in a Fragile World” has commenced with a Bloc Competition that would end this month.  The Grand Finale will be held on September 20, 2023 at the National Christian Center, Abuja – starting at 10.00 am.

  • Theme: “The Word in a Fragile World”
  • Date: Bloc Competition, June – August 2023
  • Grand Finale: 20th September 2023
  • Venue: National Christian Center, Abuja
  • Time: 10.00 am

The competition is categorized into three age grades, Adult, Youth, and Teen. Three winners will emerge from each category during the Grand Finale. All winners will receive trophies, including ministerial support, donations, and consolation prizes.

Left: His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria; Archbishop Dr. Emeka & Dr. Mrs. Chizoba Agwu, General Overseas of the Voice of Evangelism

Sponsored by Archbishop Dr. Emeka & Dr. Mrs. Chizoba Agwu, General Overseas of the Voice of Evangelism based in Houston, Texas, this event serves as the foundation and basis for evangelism, and serving God. According to Archbishop Dr. Agwu, the quiz affords children a better opportunity to read and understand the Bible. It offers them the spiritual values to abide by the tenets of the Bible.”

CAN under the leadership of His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh serves as a basis for response to the unity of the church and promotes understanding, peace, and unity among the various people and strata of society in Nigeria through the propagation of the gospel.

The VOEI is a nondenominational worship center established in 2006 to spread the word, unite persons, families, and businesses, as well as galvanize souls for Jesus Christ. The ministry has over the years, illustrated the retention of traditional Christian family standards consistent with the preaching and values of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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Books

Book Launch & Thanksgiving Bash Hosted on Behalf of Mrs. Henrietta Okoro

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10 months ago

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July 12, 2023

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Book Launch & Thanksgiving event was hosted on behalf of  Dr. Mrs. Henrietta Okoro at Crown Plaza Hotels & Resorts on 6050 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross GA. The event took place on July 2, 2023

Dr. Henrietta M. Okoro is an adjunct professor of computer information systems and business studies at the Colorado Technical University, National University, and the University of Cumberland.

The book titled Organizational Culture and Performance: The Practice of Sustaining Higher Performance in Business Merger & Acquisition Paperback. In the book, Dr. Okoro integrates organizational culture traits with insights from research to provide readers with distinctive strategies to improve and sustain employee retention, job satisfaction, and higher organizational performance. Emphases were made on distressed banks, global bank mergers, acquisition trends, and implications for sustainability.

Recommendations were provided to leaders in various industries and future research prospects. The book highlights the factors of job satisfaction, employee commitment, thinking beyond financial gain in mergers and acquisitions, failure as a learning tool, and the cultural traits necessary to sustain creativity and higher organizational performance.

The event was attended by who-is-who in the governmental, community, business, and academic communities.

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