Texas sees record 197 coronavirus deaths along with high in hospitalizations
Texas health officials reported a single-day record of 197 coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, 23 more than the previous high set on Friday.
The state has reported 100 or more COVID-19 deaths seven times during the pandemic, all since July 9. Dallas County and Tarrant County reported 30 and six deaths. Collin and Denton Counties combined for seven deaths on Wednesday.
New COVID-19 cases increased by more than 500 from Tuesday, to 9,879. That’s the most since Saturday’s 10,158 cases. The most cases reported in a day is 10,791 on July 15.
Coronavirus hospitalizations increased for the third consecutive day to a record 10,893, up 45 patients from Tuesday.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations over Time
Coronavirus daily hospitalization counts in Texas and the larger Trauma Service Areas, beginning April 8, 2020. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services.
The seven-day average for positive test rate dropped to 14.18%, according to the latest data available from health officials. The rate hit a pandemic high 17.43% on July 16.
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.
Despite a leveling off in the growth of new cases, Gov. Greg Abbott emphasized Wednesday that the virus “is not leaving anytime soon.” South Texas has been especially hard it, and in the Gulf Coast region, there were no intensive care unit beds available Wednesday afternoon, according to DSHS data.
Abbott has resisted local officials’ calls to implement local stay-at-home orders. Abbott told KSAT-TV in San Antonio on Wednesday that local officials already have the ability to enforce restrictions currently in place, like capacity limits, and that they must do so “to contain the spread of COVID-19 without forcing people into poverty.”
Abbott reiterated that a shutdown won’t be necessary if Texans abide by his face mask mandate and stay home as much as possible.
Texas has had 351,618 cases and 4,348 deaths since the pandemic began.
Staff writer Tessa Weinberg contributed to this report.
This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 5:54 PM.
