More than two weeks after Texas eased Covid-19 restrictions, the state has so far not witnessed an increase in new cases: reported infections continue to decline statewide, but have recently shown signs of ‘leveling.
Gov. Greg Abbott lifted a state mask mandate and allowed companies to operate at full capacity, with no limits, starting March 10th. “Now is the time to open Texas 100%,” the Republican said March 2 as he announced the changes. “State mandates are no longer necessary.”
The day the restrictions were lifted, the seven-day average of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the state was about 4,900, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The latest data show a seven-day average of about 3,400 cases.
Last year, after a month-long shutdown at the start of the pandemic, Texas businesses were able to reopen to varying degrees in May. By the end of June, the cases confirmed daily in the state had increased by six times compared to the numbers reported in early May. In July, Mr Abbott instituted a mask warrant as infection rates and hospitalizations continued to rise and the state became a focal point of the summer rise.
So far, the same rise in cases has not been reported.