Texas COVID-19 hospitalizations are falling slightly and remain high

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

Texas reported Saturday to 12,319 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, which ended five consecutive days of hospitalizations a record. But even with the decline of more than 160 patients as of Friday, the virus continued to strain medical resources.

Intensive care units in various 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 fatalities, as well as 3,995 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 487 probable cases. The actual number of cases is believed to be much higher because many people have not been tested and some who get sick show no symptoms.

Over the past seven days, nearly one in five coronavirus tests in Texas has tested 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.