Texas hospitals hit new COVID hike for the fifth consecutive day

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas reached a new record for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 for the fifth consecutive day on Friday, in a continuous increase in disease caused by the new coronavirus after travel and holidays.

Texas reported 12,481 patients with COVID-19 in state hospitals on New Year’s Day, an increase of more than 1,750 over the previous week. Intensive care units in various parts of Texas were full or nearly full, according to the Texas Department of Health Services.

The gloomy count continued to rise as some Texans gathered to celebrate the new year, despite warnings from health officials that the congregation was likely to spread the virus even more.

On Friday night, the Texas Supreme Court struck down rules that prohibit Austin area bars and restaurants from offering evening dinner service, supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, against the local authority who said the move it was necessary to slow the spread of the virus.

A first instance court on Thursday maintained the ban on night service until January 3, despite objections by 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 another 3,658 probable cases. They also accounted for 334 recently recorded deaths, bringing the total death toll in the state to 27,771.

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

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