As multiple states count rising case numbers, Texas hospitalizations have increased over the weekend.
This past weekend, Texas saw 2,000 new reported coronavirus cases, resulting in a spike in hospitalizations for three consecutive days between June 12-14.
The Associated Press (AP) reports that on Saturday, Texas health officials recorded 2,331 new cases, making the estimated active case count statewide 27,537.
This comes as Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is moving forward with Phase 3 of the state’s economic reopening, a move that experts warn will lead to a jump in cases as more people emerge from lockdowns and stay-at-home orders.
While an increase in confirmed cases can be due to increases in testing capacity, an increase in hospitalizations is a more accurate metric for gauging how severe infections are, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials said in a press conference last week.
Since June 11, the number of Texans diagnosed with COVID-19 who were subsequently hospitalized has been increasing, showcasing 2,166 individuals hospitalized on Friday; jumping to 2,242 on Saturday; and finally increasing to a record-high of 2,287 on Sunday.
Hospitals are not near capacity, per state data, with more than 14,000 available beds and almost 6,000 available ventilators for more severe cases. Because of these ample resources, Abbott said Friday that there is “no real need to ratchet back the opening of businesses in the state.”
He still urged residents to follow the CDC-recommended reopening guidelines, which include social distancing by at least 6 feet and wearing masks in public.
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Texas sees spike in coronavirus hospitalizations https://t.co/OEzqjy5Wkz pic.twitter.com/ijay75D7Pt
— The Hill (@thehill) June 16, 2020
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