ALERT: Texas sets a new all time high for coronavirus hospitalizations for eighth time in past nine days

The number of patients hospitalized with the novel coronavirus in Texas reached an all-time high Tuesday after breaking records nearly every day in the past week.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 2,518 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Tuesday — a jump of 192 patients from the previous record of 2,326 hospitalized on Monday.

Texas has set records for hospitalizations eight of the past nine days. Hospitalizations broke records three days in a row at the start of last week, and then dropped down slightly to 2,008 patients on Thursday. They went on to hit records again with 2,166 patients Friday, 2,242 patients Saturday and 2,287 patients Sunday.

Hospitalizations have been trending upward since late May, and have increased by about 66% since the 1,511 patients hospitalized on Memorial Day. Before last week, the previous record for hospitalizations was on May 5, with 1,888 patients.

The state’s infection rate — how many cases are positive out of the number tested — has been trending upward since late May. Meanwhile, Texas has continued with its phased reopening of businesses. Restaurants were allowed to increase their capacity to 75% Friday.

Gov. Greg Abbott stressed there remains plenty of hospital beds.

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