Coronavirus: Texas Death Count Passes 1,000 Mark

AUSTIN, TX — On the first day of a second phase of a statewide economy restarting that saw barbershops, nail salons and more businesses open their doors for business amid new coronavirus illness, the number of fatalities from the respiratory disease crossed the 1,000 mark.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services agency, 1,004 state residents have died after contracting the virus. The number of cases rose to 36,609 in the past 24 hours — an increase of 1,319 from the 35,290 cases posted on Thursday when 25 additional deaths were reported from the previous day.

The number of fatalities posted on Friday represents an increase of 31 from Thursday, when health officials reported 973 people in Texas had succumbed to illness.

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According to a statistical dashboard updated daily by Texas Department of State Health Services, 19,197 have recovered from the respiratory illness. Another 1,734 patients remain hospitalized, the data show, and there are 16,408 active cases. To date, 477,118 tests have been undertaken to detect cases of the illness for which there is no vaccine in a state of some 29 million residents.

The upgraded count comes on the first day of a second phase of economic reopening ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott. Last week, Abbott lifted previous orders mandating business closures that allowed restaurants, malls and movie theaters to reopen at 25 percent occupancy.

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• Coronavirus: Texas Illness Count Soars To 35,290, 25 More Deaths
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• Texas Governor Allows Malls, Restaurants, More To Open By May 1
• Coronavirus: Governor Outlines Plan To Reopen Texas Economy

On Friday, the second phase of the governor-led reopening began. To that end, the governor outlined another round of business reopenings directed by new executive orders:

• Beginning May 8, cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and shops — and other establishments where licensed cosmetologists or barbers practice their trade — will be allowed to open but must adhere to a distance of at least six feet between operating work stations, the governor said. Tanning salons may also reopen under the same limitation, Abbott added.
• Beginning May 18, office buildings may open with the greater of five or less individuals or 25 percent of the total office workforce per the governor's new order. Office workers must adhere to physical distancing guidelines, per the order.
• Gyms, exercise facilities, and exercise classes could open as soon as May 18, but must operate at 25 percent occupancy. Locker rooms and shower facilities will remain closed, but restrooms may open. Non-essential manufacturing services may also open on May 18 but facilities must limit their occupancy to 25 percent. These newly opened services are subject to recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by state health officials, the governor noted.
• The governor also issued new guidance from the Texas Education Agency centered on graduation ceremonies. In expanding the businesses allowed to reopen, Abbott said gyms could open their doors again as early as May 18 so long as customers wear gloves while using the machines and maintain a buffer of at least 6 feet from others. However, showers and locker rooms must remain closed, the governor said.
• Other sites cleared for reopening are wedding venues and services required to conduct weddings allowed to open their doors immediately, the governor said. However, weddings held indoors other than at a church, congregation, or house of worship must limit occupancy to 25 percent. Wedding reception services may also resume, but facilities also must limit their occupancy to 25 percent occupancy. These occupancy limits do not apply to the outdoor areas of a wedding reception or to outdoor wedding receptions, Abbott noted.
• No timeline was given as to when bars might reopen.

"Texas is in a position to continue opening parts of our economy because of the efforts and determination of the people of Texas," Abbott said during his press conference announcing the moves. "Over the past month, Texans have worked together to contain the spread of COVID-19 by following social distancing practices and staying at home whenever possible."