Texas hits record highs in new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations as pandemic surges
Texas reported all-time highs of new cases and patients hospitalized with the novel coronavirus Tuesday, with both records surpassing 6,000 for the first time.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 6,975 new COVID-19 cases were reported Tuesday — a single-day high for Texas. It’s 979 more cases than the previous record of 5,996 cases last Thursday.
DSHS also reported an all-time high of 6,533 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized — a jump of 620 cases from Monday’s record of 5,913.
Tuesday’s record totals included single-day highs in Tarrant County, which reported 605 new cases and three deaths, and Dallas County, which reported 601 new cases and 20 deaths.
Texas has averaged 5,659 cases a day the past week, up 1,778 cases a day from the previous seven days.
To ensure sufficient hospital capacity to treat COVID-19 patients, Gov. Greg Abbott expanded his ban on elective medical procedures to four more South Texas counties Tuesday. And last week, Abbott took the first steps to reverse Texas’ phased reopening of businesses, and ordered bars and rafting and tubing businesses to shut down.
Restaurants were also required to reduce their capacity from 75% to 50% and most outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people were banned unless approved by local officials.
Abbott said the catalyst for Friday’s restrictions was the infection rate — the number of positive cases out of those tested — exceeding 10%.
The state’s seven-day average infection rate has been trending upward since late May, and was at 14.02% as of Monday — its highest levels since mid-April.
In television interviews Tuesday night, Abbott said the state is continuing to look at additional strategies, and stressed that the success of slowing the spread will be dependent on Texans recommitting to best practices, like wearing a face mask, staying 6 feet apart and staying home as much as possible.
“If people do those very simple things, we will not have to shut down additional operations. If people do not do those safe things, then it will lead to more requirements to make sure that action is taken to keep Texas safe,” Abbott told KXAS-TV in Dallas.
Estimated active cases over time
Coronavirus daily active case estimates by local counties in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex, beginning April 8, 2020. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 5:17 PM.
