Texas reports single-day high in new coronavirus cases as deaths, cases double in May
Texas reported a single-day high 1,855 new coronavirus cases and 39 deaths on Thursday.
The total COVID-19 cases in the state has doubled since May 1 to 59,776, including 1,601 deaths.
Pandemic-related deaths in Texas have also nearly doubled since a total of 816 was reported on May 1.
The previous single-day high of new cases was 1,801 on May 16.
The state has ramped up its testing capabilities in the past month, including a record 42,109 new tests reported on Monday. On Wednesday, more than 34,000 new tests were reported. There were 17,544 tests reported on Thursday.
Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, wrote in an email Thursday night that the spike in new cases is partially due to a catch-up in reporting after fewer cases were reported over the holiday weekend. In addition, Van Deusen said the state is seeing results from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s COVID-19 testing.
“For example, Walker and Jones counties, which each have multiple prisons, had 375 new cases between them. Walker had 241 yesterday,” Van Deusen wrote.
The 39 deaths reported Thursday are up sightly from earlier in the week when the state reported 26, 9 and 8 Monday through Wednesday.
The most coronavirus-related deaths reported in a day in Texas include 58 on May 14, 56 on May 15, and 50 on both April 30 and May 20.
COVID-19 cases over time
Coronavirus daily case counts over time by local counties in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex. Tap the arrow button to replay the animation. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services and local counties.
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 6:30 PM.
