Texas Coronavirus Hospitalizations Increase Nearly 2,500 Since Beginning Of Month
AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - The surge in Texas coronavirus cases has raised COVID-19 hospitalizations by almost 2,500 cases since Oct. 1.
The 5,650 hospitalizations reported Wednesday were also the most since Aug. 19.
About 16% of the hospitalizations were in El Paso County, the state's worst COVID-19 hotspot.
Of the 5,175 new cases state health officials reported Wednesday of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, 16.5% came from El Paso County.
El Paso County also accounted for 14.1% of the 96,528 active cases the state estimated statewide.
There have been more than 879,994 Texas cases reported since the pandemic's start, including more than 41,000 cases added in the past seven days.
The true number of cases in Texas is likely higher though because many people haven't been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The state has already provided over 900 medical personnel to El Paso, some of whom will be staffing a temporary hospital set up in the city's convention center.
The 105 COVID-19 fatalities reported statewide Wednesday brought the Texas toll to 17,700 since the pandemic struck at the start of March.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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