FORT WORTH, Texas —Texas is reporting more than 11,000 coronavirus patients in hospitals across the state, surpassing record hospitalizations seen in July.
For weeks hospitalizations have been on the incline in the state, inching closer to the July 22 high of 10,893. The Texas Department of State Health Services on Monday reported 11,351 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals.
The state on Monday also reported 13,416 available hospital beds, 745 available ICU beds and 7,793 available ventilators. There were 12,841 new coronavirus cases reported in Texas.
He noted that gatherings around the holidays can contribute to the spread of disease, leading to more hospitalizations and deaths.
"We've continued to see increasing numbers of new cases, which inevitably leads to more hospitalizations," said DSHS spokesperson Douglas Loveday in a Monday statement. "As long as people from different households are gathering without taking precautions, increasing the chances the virus will spread, that pattern will likely continue."
Tarrant County reported 5,991 coronavirus cases and 18 deaths on Monday, as well as a pandemic high of 1,175 coronavirus hospitalizations. The new COVID-19 cases reported by the county include data from Dec. 24-27 when the county was observing the Christmas holiday.
The trauma service area that includes Tarrant County reported 1,747 available hospital beds, 84 available ICU beds and 1,854 available ventilators, according to state data.
The area encompassing Tarrant County is among 12 in the state where for at least the last seven days 15% or more of total hospital capacity has been filled by COVID‑19 patients. This triggers a roll-back in business capacity in the areas.
