Texas sets 4th record high in recent days for Covid-19 hospitalizations
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas health officials on Sunday reported more than 1,800 new coronavirus cases in the state and 19 additional deaths, along with a fourth day of record hospitalizations since Wednesday.
There are at least 87,854 cases, up from 86,011 reported Saturday, an increase of 1,843, while the death toll rose by 19, from 1,957 to 1,976, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The actual number of people who have contracted the virus is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick. The department estimates 58,341 people have recovered from the virus.
The state health department reported 27,537 active cases and that there are currently 2,287 people hospitalized, the fourth day of record hospitalization numbers in less than a week.
Hospitalizations increased to new peaks by first reaching 2,153 patients Wednesday — and then after a one-day dip Thursday to 2,008, it rose to a record 2,166 on Friday. Then Saturday, the state broke yet another record and reported 2,242 hospitalized patients.
While the number of people hospitalized with the virus has continued to climb, state officials remain confident in their capacities to handle it — and Gov. Greg Abbott has maintained that there’s still “no real need to ratchet back the opening of businesses in the state.”
In El Paso on Sunday, the local health department reported 40 new cases, but no additional deaths after reaching a milestone 100 fatalities on Saturday. The number of El Pasoans hospitalized remained stable on Sunday at 85 patients.
