Coronavirus: Texas Illness Count 20,196, With 22 More Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — The number of newly diagnosed cases of new coronavirus in Texas grew by 738 patients in the past 24 hours — bringing the total to 20,196 cases to date — and 22 more people died overnight of the respiratory illness.

The figures are the latest available data from Texas Department of State Health Services, posted on a dashboard that is continually updated daily. So far, the data show 517 people have died of the respiratory illness, and 1,419 are hospitalized. Health officials made a point to note 6,486 patients have recovered after contracting the COVID-19 virus.

The counties with the highest concentration of illness, as posted on the dashboard, are:

• Harris: 4,977 cases.
• Dallas: 2,512 cases.
• Tarrant: 1,249 cases.
• Travis: 1,174 cases.
• Bexar: 1,029 cases.

Even as health officials readied the latest numbers, Gov. Greg Abbott staged a press conference on Tuesday detailing his plans to reopen the state economy.

"As we continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, we are also working to alleviate the severe economic devastation that has impacted so many Texans," Abbott said. "People are ready to get to work and earn a paycheck again, and the State of Texas is committed to connecting Texans with the many job opportunities that exist throughout the state."

The governor spent a great deal of time during his press conference on a slide presenation pointing to places across Texas where people can find jobs. He pointed to the 28 local workforce development boards across the state and the Texas Economic Development and Tourism's Texas Jobs as sites to find openings.

"There are so many people in Texas wanting to get back to work," Abbott said. "We have almost a half million jobs waiting for you across Texas."

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In making his sales pitch, Abbott suggested it was the elderly who are most vulnerable to getting coronavirus. As he said that, Williamson County health officials reported the fifth death of coronavirus in that region — a man in his 30s.

A screenshot from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows the demographic hardest hit by new coronavirus is the age group between 50-59 years of age.

Information on the state dashboard also undermines the assertion, showing the highest level of diagnoses in the 50-59 age group followed by those between the ages of 40-49.

Related story: Coronavirus: WilCo Illness Count Grows To 158, 5 Fatalities

Still, Abbott credited a perceived "leveling off" of disease to the public's adherence of social and physical distancing guidelines outlined by health officials as an effective way of blunting the spread of illness. "As I recapped the numbers in the state of Texas leveling off, it is not because COVID-19 has dispersed from state of Texas," Abbott said.

A screenshot of the Texas Department of State Health Services dashboard shows upward trends — not a "leveling off" — of cumulative illness counts.

"They (the public) have done a great job of following distancing standards," Abbott continued. "We've seen the numbers, and the statistics are showing those over the age of 70 — particularly those over the age of 80 — are particularly vulnerable. We as a state must do all that we can to protect our elderly population."

Abbott first discussed in earnest the re-opening of the state economy last Friday, which helped galvanize a group of several dozen people to descend on the Capitol grounds demanding commerce be regnited per the governor's wishes. Almost to a person, none of those at the rally wore protective fabric face coverings — another effective tool in thwarting the spread of disease.

People gathered at the state Capitol on Saturday, April 18, 2020, demanding the state economy be reopened a day after Gov. Greg Abbott expressed such plans. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Several of those attending the rally broght their children, and none could be seen wearing masks either.

The rally was political in a nature, with many participants carrying signs suggesting the stay-at-home order implemented statewide by Abbott himself was an infringement on personal freedoms. Many in the crowd also clutched signs suggesting they would not be availing themselves of a vaccine for the virus once it's created, promulgating debunked ideas that vaccinations actually cause illness to occur rather than neutralize them.

Texas has among the nation's lowest levels of vaccination rates. According to Health Exec, the Lone Star State is ninth-ranked in the top ten cities in the U.S. with the lowest vaccination rates, sandwiched between Florida and Mississippi in descending order.