On Saturday, the Texas Department of Health reported over 47,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, with more than 1,800 new cases reported on Saturday. It is the largest single-day increase in confirmed cases in the state since the outbreak began.
The state has been ramping up coronavirus testing in areas that have been declared high risk.
Health officials reported 33 additional deaths on Saturday, bringing the total number of deaths in Texas to 1,305.
Meanwhile, authorities have been moving forward with plans to reopen the state, stating that gyms can open with 25% capacity from Monday, with space equipment and cleaning products throughout the gym. They also said nonessential manufacturing facilities and workplaces could reopen with 25% capacity.
The largest number of cases were reported in the two largest counties of Texas – Dallas County and Harris County. Potter County accounts for over 2,100 of the state’s cases, while Randall County accounts for more than 600 confirmed cases.
On Saturday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that earlier this month, he had deployed a Surge Response Team to Amarillo consisting of health workers and the Texas National Guard to conduct tests on the meatpacking facilities.
“These teams conducted a site survey of high-risk areas to begin testing employees in meatpacking facilities,” Abbott said. “Today, Texas is seeing the results of those tests and will continue to see these results in targeted areas over the next two weeks.”
Abbott noted that as the state bolsters its coronavirus testing ability, there would be an increase in positive tests, especially in high-risk facilities such as nursing homes, meatpacking plants, and jails. The governor said there are more than 500 hospital beds available in the Amarillo, with over 230 surge beds available. He also said there are 110 ventilators available, with more to be sent in the region.
