Texas became the second state to surpass the 2 million mark this week, while the region experiences record numbers of coronaviruses in January. The lone star state has seen 2,040,751 confirmed cases of the virus since the pandemic began nearly a year ago, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The state also recorded more than 31,200 deaths and is experiencing a positive test rate of 13.33%. The recent increase has also brought the state close to ICU capacity, with only 9% remaining, according to the latest statistics. About half of the patients in the ICU are there due to COVID-19 disease.
Travelers wearing protective masks walk through Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Dallas, Texas.
(Angus Mordant / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Texas has moved into its vaccine distribution phase 1B, which includes people aged 65 or over or who are at least 16 years old and have a chronic medical condition, including pregnancy.
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The state is behind California’s total case count by several hundred thousand, but unlike the Golden State, Texas initially resisted state blockades and restrictions imposed in some areas.
“The first day’s messages were very conflicting,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who criticized the state’s reopening strategy, according to Bloomberg.com. “If local people are saying, ‘Put on your mask’, and people across the state or federal are saying, ‘No, you don’t have to’, then gravitate to the message they want to hear.”
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The hope of slowing the spread depends on the recently approved COVID-19 vaccines, but with many states stumbling over the implementation, public health officials have asked the public to reduce public health strategies, such as wearing masks and social detachment. The state is approaching 1 million vaccinated residents, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott announcing earlier this week that he expects to see at least 50,000 vaccines administered daily.
“Never before in the history of this state has Texas vaccinated so many people so quickly,” Abbott said on Monday, according to the Texas Tribute. “It is impressive to see what we have achieved.”
The state has launched mass vaccination centers, which Abbott said will streamline distribution efforts and allow the state to move quickly through available supplies. He also said that he, along with other governors, are pushing drugstore chains to connect with their vaccination programs to accelerate efforts in nursing homes and long-term care institutions.
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“There is no reason why this process should be as slow as it is,” he said, according to the vehicle.