Texas sets new record for new coronavirus infections again as tests also record sustained highs

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Texas health officials reported more than 14,000 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, which appeared to be an all-time high for daily cases.

The record arrives a day before the Thanksgiving holiday. Public health officials have urged people to celebrate separately this year, warning that family reunions could speed up the spread of infections at a time when many hospitals in Texas are reporting overwhelming volumes of COVID-19 patients.

The seven-day average of new cases in Texas continues to exceed 10,000, having tripled since the start of October. Testing is also at record levels. About 10% of coronavirus tests yielded positive results on Nov. 24, according to data from the Texas State Department Health Services.

The national public health agency says its daily coronavirus statistics are provisional and subject to change.

Meanwhile, the number of Texans hospitalized with COVID-19 has more than doubled since the start of October, and Texas has reported more than 20,900 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The situation is particularly dire in El Paso, where officials have pleaded for more morgue workers as coronavirus deaths rise. Experts say widespread fatigue has accelerated viral transmission and fear the holidays may make an already dangerous situation worse.

Hospital administrators in North Texas, West Texas and the Panhandle have expressed concern over the increase in hospitalizations for coronavirus. Administrators in rural hospitals have reported difficulties in transferring patients as large hospitals in Lubbock, Amarillo and other major cities are short of beds.

More than 8,500 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized on November 25, according to state health officials. This was below Texas’ record high for coronavirus hospitalizations, which reached nearly 11,000 at the end of July.

The State Health Services Department said it plans to update its daily COVID-19 counts over the holiday weekend, but the daily case count may appear lower as some health services premises report data more slowly.