Texas coronavirus hospitalizations are approaching peak summer

DALLAS – Coronavirus hospitalizations in Texas on Friday neared maximum success as the pandemic escalated over the summer, even amid holiday and travel meetings that health officials have warned are likely to spread the virus further .

The state health department reported that there were 10,868 patients hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state at Christmas, less than 30 people behind the record high set in July. Intensive care units in various parts of Texas were full or nearly full, according to the Texas State Department of Health Services.

On Friday, Texas reported 200 more deaths from COVID-19. According to the health department, there were 3,123 recently confirmed cases of the virus and another 973 probable cases.

The actual number of coronavirus cases is believed to be much higher because many people have not been tested and some people with the disease have no symptoms.

Over the past week, more than 16 percent of coronavirus tests in Texas have 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 other people, especially the elderly and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause serious illness and be fatal.