Hospitalizations of COVID patients in Texas hit record high for eighth straight day
For the eighth day in a row, hospitalizations of patients with the novel coronavirus in Texas hit a record high Friday.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 3,148 COVID-19 patients hospitalized Friday — a jump of 201 patients from the previous record of 2,947 patients Thursday.
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.
Hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients have reached highs for 11 of the past 12 days and have trended upward since late May. Hospitalizations have more than doubled since the 1,511 patients hospitalized on Memorial Day. Before last week, the previous record for hospitalizations was on May 5, with 1,888 patients.
Hospitalizations are one of the key metrics Gov. Greg Abbott has said he is assessing. During a press conference Tuesday, Abbott said the increase in hospitalizations “does raise concerns,” but that “there is no reason right now to be alarmed.”
Abbott said there is an “abundant supply” of available beds. DSHS reported 13,591 beds, 1,443 intensive care unit beds and 5,835 ventilators available in Texas on Friday. Abbott has previously raised the possibility of reinstating temporary bans on elective medical procedures to increase hospital capacity if necessary.
Another key factor Abbott said he is monitoring is the infection rate — the number of positive cases out of those tested — which has also been rising since late May. The state’s seven-day average infection rate rose to 8.53% Friday.
The state saw new single-day highs of cases this week, with 3,129 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday and 3,526 reported Thursday. Cases dropped slightly with 3,454 reported Friday.
Of the 4,098 cases reported Tuesday, 1,476 were from Texas Department of Criminal Justice testing that had been previously diagnosed but not reported, according to DSHS.
After Memorial Day weekend, public health experts have said, it’s not entirely unexpected that the number of cases is increasing as businesses reopen and people begin to gather and venture outside. However, they emphasized that Texans need to continue to take precautions, wear face masks and socially distance.
A recent study worked on by researchers from Texas A&M University and UT Austin found that wearing a face mask is one of the most effective ways to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
As cases and hospitalizations increase, the state has continued with its phased reopening of businesses. Last week, restaurants were allowed to increase their capacity to 75%, and Friday amusement parks could reopen at 50% capacity across the state.
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 June 19, 2020 at 4:01 PM.
