Coronavirus: Texas Cases Grow To 25,297, 15 More Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — The number of new coronavirus in Texas grew by 666 on Monday, briging the to-date total count to 25,297 and 663 fatalities — 15 more deaths since Sunday.

On Sunday, the number of respiratory illness cases had grown by 858 from the previous day, bringing the count then to 24,631 and 648 deaths statewide.

The updated numbers represent the increase in illness in a 24-hour period as posted by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The agency updates the numbers on a daily basis, with the tally for Monday occurring by early evening.

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In Travis County, the number of cases stands at 1,412 — the fourth-highest concentration of illness statewide. Harris County continues to lead in terms of illness concentration, with 5,729 cases reported. Dallas County is second, with 2,909 cases. In Tarrant County, 1,947 cases were recorded as of Monday, with Bexar County reporting 1,254 cases.

Related story: Livestream: Texas Governor To Outline Reopening Of Economy

According to the latest available data, more than three-quarters of the state's 254 counties have now reported at least one case of new coronavirus. Amid the grim statistics, health officials note that 11,170 patients have recovered after contracting the virus that causes respiratory illness.

The higher numbers come as Gov. Greg Abbott is poised to announce plans to partially reopen the stalled state economy. Business across the Texas landscape have closed as health officials promote the need for physical distancing as a tactic to blunt the spread of illness, grinding the economy to a virtual halt.

To reignite the economy, Abbott is scheduled to announce plans to open some businesses — hair salons and restaurants among them, as he told a conservative radio host recently. But Abbott has pledged to embark on the partial reopening with health officials' guidance taken into acccount. The governor is scheduled to outline his plans at 2:30 p.m. on Monday.