Coronavirus: Texas Illness Count Soars To 15,492, With 364 Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — Another 46 people died of the new coronavirus over the last 24-hour-period statewide as the illness count soared to 15,492 cases — 868 newly diagnosed cases from the level on Tuesday.

The death count from the respiratory illness oubreak as of Wednesday stood at 364, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported. State health officials noted that 3,150 people have since recovered after having been diagnosed.

An illness for which there is no vaccine, new coronavirus is spread via respiratory droplets emitted by coughing or sneezing. Health officials have outlined physical distancing guidelines in advising people to stay at least six feet from each other to inhibit illness spread.

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Health officials also recommend the use of fabric face coverings when on essential outings — trips to the grocery store, pharmacy or financial instution to name three — during which they will be in contact with others as another form of mitigating the spread of illness.

The soaring rate of illness and mounting deaths come on the same week that Gov. Greg Abbott is poised to reignite the state economy by outlining a plan to restart commerce stilled by pandemic. The governor last Friday said he would have details on how he proposes to go about re-opening the economy, only to say his plan would be unveiled sometime this week.

Abbott's past efforts to restart the stalled Texas economy — the 12th largest in the world — by declaring residential and commercial construction as "essential" activivities sparked wide concern the order would help raise the rate of illness. A similar gubernatorial order declaring attendance at houses of worship as "essential" activity also caused widespread consternation, but faith leaders have largely adhered to physical distancing provisions by offering virtual services remotely to their respective flocks.