Coronavirus: Texas Illness Count Up 1,033 Cases, 50 More Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — The number of new coronavirus cases grew by 1,033 in the past 24 hours, bringing the statewide total to 28,087 on Thursday. The number of fatalities grew by 50 in the same period of time — the biggest one-day spike in deaths to date — in bringing the total number to 782.

The exponential increase comes one day before Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the partial reopening of the state economy, a move he said would be informed by advice from health professionals — "doctors and data," as the governor put it during a press conference when he unveiled plans to reignite the economy.

Abbott has cited a flattening curve as justification for reopening the economy, despite the consistent cumulative rise in the number of diagnoses and deaths due to coronavirus as recorded by state health officials. In the four days since announcing his plans to reignite the state economy, the statewide illness count has grown by 3,456 and 134 more deaths.

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The breakdown so far this week:

• Monday: 666 new cases reported, 15 more deaths.
• Tuesday: 874 more cases, 27 deaths.
• Wednesday: 883 additional cases, 42 more deaths.
• Thursday: 1,033 more cases, 50 additional deaths.

The figures related to the respiratory illness are updated daily on a Texas Department of State Health Services website. On the data-rich dashboard, the number of tests for coronavirus conducted so far is listed at 330,000 in a state with a population of 29 million residents. All told, as detailed in the dashboard, 209 of the state's 254 counties have reported at least one case of coronavirus.

Amid the grim figures, health officials offer a glimmer of hope: An estimated 13,353 patients have recovered after contracting the virus, according to the dashboard data.

In announcing plans to reopen the state economy, Abbott issued an Executive Order to allow all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls to operate at 25 percent capacity by May 1 as part of a multi-phased reopening of the state economy stalled by the new coronavirus outbreak.
Within shopping malls, the food-court dining areas, play areas, and interactive displays and settings must remain closed as part of the order, Abbott said during his news conference staged at the state Capitol.

Abbott said the order also will allow museums and libraries to reopen but with no greater than a 25 percent capacity of patrons.

Related story:

• Coronavirus: Texas Cases Grow To 25,297, 15 More Deaths
• Texas Governor Allows Malls, Restaurants, More To Open By May 1

In rural counties of Texas, shops and restaurants with fewer than five coronavirus cases can reopen up to 50 percent of occupancy, according to the gubernatorial order. But Abbott said counties could revert back to more limited capacity if there is a new outbreak of coronavirus cases. If a two-week downward trend of illness is seen after the partial reopening, more businesses — chiefly bars, hair salons and gyms — would then be reopened as well, Abbott said.

As of Thursday, the counties with the highest concentration of illness are:

• Harris: 6,161 cases.
• Dallas: 3,352 cases.
• Tarrant: 2,149 cases.
• Travis: 1,591 cases.
• Bexar: 1,326 cases.
• Fort Bend: 1,018 cases.