Hospitalizations in Texas COVID-19 are declining slightly, remain high

DALLAS – Coronavirus hospitalizations fell slightly in Texas on Saturday, but remained close to record levels, as health officials said there were about 600 intensive care beds available in the state of nearly 29 million people.

Texas reported 12,319 COVID-19 patients in hospitals on Saturday, ending five consecutive days of hospitalizations. But even with more than 160 patients declining on Friday, the virus continued to strain medical resources.

Intensive care units in several parts of Texas were full or nearly full, with 626 ICU beds available Saturday across the state, according to the Texas State Department of Health Services.

The department reported 96 new deaths, as well as 3,995 new cases confirmed by COVID-19 and 487 probable cases. It is believed that the actual number of cases is much higher, because many people have not been tested, and some who get sick have no symptoms.

In the past seven days, nearly one in five coronavirus tests in Texas has returned positive, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

For most people, coronavirus causes mild to moderate symptoms that clear up in a few weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause serious illness and can be fatal.