Texas hospitals hit new COVID record for fifth day in a row

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas set a new record for hospital patients with COVID-19 for the fifth consecutive day Friday, in a continued outbreak of illness caused by the novel coronavirus after vacation gatherings and travel.

Texas reported 12,481 COVID-19 patients in public hospitals on New Years Day, an increase of more than 1,750 from a week ago. Intensive care units in several areas of Texas were full or nearly full, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The grim number continued to rise as some Texans gathered to celebrate the New Year, despite warnings from health officials that the congregation is likely to further spread the virus.

The Texas Supreme Court overturned rules on Friday night banning Austin-area bars and restaurants from offering late-night food service, siding with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over a local official who said the measure was necessary to slow the spread of the virus. .

A lower court on Thursday upheld the ban on night duty until January 3, despite objections from the Republican attorney general that it was illegal. But some bars in the city remained open after curfew anyway, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

State health officials on Friday reported 12,369 new confirmed cases of the virus and 3,658 other probable cases. They also counted 334 newly reported deaths, bringing the total death toll in the state to 27,771.

The actual number of cases is believed to be much higher as many people have not been tested and some who get sick do not have symptoms.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that go away within a few weeks. But for others, especially the elderly and people with health problems, the virus can cause serious illness and be fatal.