Coronavirus: Travis County Up To 1,654 Cases, 3 More Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — One day before the state economy was scheduled for reopening, three more people died of new coronavirus in Travis County as the illness count grew to 1,654 in a 24-hour period.

The upgraded illness count reprorted by Austin Public Health on Thursday is an increase of 63 more cases since the day before. All told, 47 Travis County residents have died of the respiratory illness to date.

According to a data-rich dashboard upated daily by Austin Public Health, 89 patients are hospitalized and 35 are being treated at intensive care units.

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Statewide, 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 of deaths 782.

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

In announcing plans to reopen the state economy on Monday, 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.