Patrick blames Texas COVID-19 surge on 'Democrats and African Americans,' Turner responds

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner took to social media and responded to "insensitive" comments Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick purportedly made about the spread of COVID-19 in the state. 

According to Newsweek, Patrick spoke out about the surge in COVID-19 cases in Texas by placing blame on the black community and Democrats. 

Turner shot back with his own response, not agreeing with Patrick. 

"The lieutenant governor's statements are offensive and should not be ignored," Mayor Turner wrote in a tweet.  

In an interview with host Laura Ingraham of Fox News show "The Ingraham Angle," Patrick placed blame on the Democrats and African American community saying, "Most of the numbers are with the unvaccinated and the Democrats" and "The biggest group in most states are African Americans who have not been vaccinated," according to Newsweek. 

Patrick also said it's up to the Democrats, just as it's up to the Republicans to try to get as many people vaccinated. 

Texas, right now, is seeing one of the highest surges of new COVID-19 cases throughout the country, according to the Texas Tribune. 

As more Texans have become infected, hospitals have started to report a shortage in ICU beds surpassing that of only 18 months ago, the Texas Tribune reported. 

Between 93% and 98% of hospitalized COVID patients, depending on the area, are unvaccinated, Texas health officials said. Only approximately half of Texans are currently vaccinated, leaving nearly 16 million people unprotected from the virus, according to Texas Tribune.