Coronavirus Texas: Deaths Reach 1,049; Case Count Over 37K

AUSTIN, TX — A day after the state launched the second phase of an economy reopening, the number of new coronavirus deaths passed the 1,040 mark in Texas, according to the latest data from Texas Health and Human Services Department.

Nearly 38,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the state and 1,049 patients have died from the illness as of Saturday.

The state has completed almost 490,000 tests.

Since the outbreak began, more than 20,000 Texas residents have recovered from the illness and there are currently 1,735 patients in state hospitals.

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The counties with the greatest concentration of illness are:

• Harris County: 7,594 cases.
• Dallas County: 5,369 cases.
• Tarrant County: 3,127 cases.
• Travis County: 2,071 cases.
• Bexar County: 1,835 cases.

The 1,000 death mark comes as Gov. Greg Abbott allows malls, restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses to open their doors for business again. The mass closure of businesses was previously ordered in adherence to physical distancing guidelines seen as an effective way of blunting the spread of an illness for which there is no vaccine.

Related stories:

• Coronavirus: Texas Illness Count Grows To 34,422, 948 Deaths
• Coronavirus: Abbott To Let More Businesses Reopen Friday
• Texas 3rd Least Prepared State For Coronavirus Outbreak: Report
• Texas Governor Allows Malls, Restaurants, More To Open By May 1