Texas coronavirus hospitalizations reach summer peak

DALLAS – Coronavirus hospitalizations in Texas on Friday approached their peak when the pandemic escalated during the summer, even amid holidays and trips that health officials have warned could spread the virus even more.

The state health department said there were 10,868 hospitalized patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state at Christmas, less than 30 people behind the record set in July. Intensive care units in various parts of Texas were full or nearly full, according to the Texas State Department of Health Services

Texas on Friday reported another 200 deaths from COVID-19. There were 3,123 new confirmed cases of the virus and another 973 probable cases, according to the health department.

The actual number of coronavirus cases is believed to be much higher because many people have not been tested and some who contract the disease have no symptoms.

Last week, more than 16 percent of coronavirus tests in Texas were positive, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that go away in weeks. But for other people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause serious illness and be fatal.