Community Corner
Coronavirus: Texas Illness County Passes 48K Mark, 11 More Deaths
Despite the continued increase in respiratory illness cases, the governor on Monday announed another phase of state economy reopening.
AUSTIN, TX — The number of coronavirus cases across the state grew by 909 on Monday from the previous day to 48,693, and 11 more people died of the respiratory illness in the past 24-hour period.
The rise in cases marked the second day in a row new diagnoses increased by less than 1,000 — ending a 10-day streak. Saturday saw the biggest single-day jump in new illness cases when 1,801 newly diagnosed patients were added to the count. Of the total, 734 new cases emerged from Amarillo, Texas, centered on an illness cluster at a meat manufacturing plant.
On Sunday, 785 new cases were reported in bringing the total count to 47,784. The fatality count on that day was 1,336. To date, 1,347 fatalities have been reported as of Monday.
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According to a Texas Department of Health and Human Services statistical dashboard, the counties with the greatest rate of illness are:
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- Harris County: 9,465.
- Dallas County: 7,455.
- Tarrant County: 4,447.
- Travis County: 2,459.
- Potter County: 2,129.
- Bexar County: 2,120.
- El Paso County: 1,772.
- Fort Bend County: 1,559.
- Denton County: 1,069.
A screenshot of the Texas Department of State Health Services statistical dashboard on May 18, 2020.
Related story: Texas Bars Among Latest To Reopen, Restaurant Occupancy Doubled
The nearly 1,000 new cases come on a day that Gov. Greg Abbott announced a third phase of the state economy reopening that will soon allow bars and other sectors to reopen. Per the governor's newly issued order, the following businesses will be allowed to open in the latest phase:
- Child Care Centers (May 18)
- Massage and Personal-Care Centers (May 18)
- Youth Clubs (May 18)
- Rodeo and Equestrian Events (May 22)
- Bowling Alleys, Bingo Halls, Simulcast Racing, and Skating Rinks (May 22)
- Bars (May 22)
- Aquariums and Natural Caverns (May 22)
- Zoos (May 29)
- Day Youth Camps (May 31)
- Overnight Youth Camps (May 31)
- Youth Sports (May 31)
- Certain professional sports without in-person spectators (May 31)
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