A refrigerated mobile morgue was deployed at the Texas Health Harris Methodist in Fort Worth on Tuesday, hospital officials say, as the Tarrant County average is just under 15 COVID-19-related deaths per day.
Tarrant County Public Health reported eight deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, after a count of 13 deaths per day since December 27, with the exception of New Year’s Day, when new coronavirus data has not been reported.
“It shows the seriousness of the situation and how important it is for everyone in the community to do their part to delay transmission of the virus by wearing masks, washing their hands, socializing and avoiding large crowds,” said Texas Health Resources in a statement.
The municipality notified 1,947 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, as the adult ICU beds in the municipality remained 98% occupied, in addition to the occupation of 86% of all hospital beds.
In early December, two large refrigerated trucks were parked in front of the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office to store bodies in the event of an increase in coronavirus-related deaths.
The storage capacity inside the coroner’s office is 100 bodies, and the number is currently at 85 or 90, said Tarrant County coroner, Dr. Nizam Peerwani, on December 9.
Deaths related to COVID-19 in El Paso increased in the fall, and county officials turned to refrigerated trucks and the Texas National Guard to help morgues with the dead.