Texas Breaks COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate For 5th Consecutive Day
AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Hospitals in Texas keep reaching new highs in the number of coronavirus cases. For the fifth day in a row the state broke the record for the number of hospitalized COVID patients.
The continued surge of the disease is believed to be the result of holiday gatherings and travel.
Texas reported 12,481 COVID-19 patients in state hospitals on New Year's Day, an increase of more than 1,750 from a week ago. Intensive care units in several parts of Texas were full or nearly full, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The grim count has continued to climb as some Texans gathered to celebrate the new year, despite warnings from health officials that congregation is likely to further spread the virus.
On Thursday evening, a state judge upheld a ban on late-night dine-in services at Austin-area restaurants and bars, siding with local officials over Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. But some bars in the state capital remained open past the curfew and people inside carried on seemingly unbothered by the restrictions, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Paxton said Friday that he intends to ask the Texas Supreme Court to stay the lower court's decision to allow the prohibition on late-night service through Jan. 3.
State health officials on Friday reported 12,369 new, confirmed cases of the virus and another 3,658 probable cases. They also counted 334 newly-reported fatalities, bring the state's total death toll to 27,771.
The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven't been tested and some who get sick don't show symptoms.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness and be fatal.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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