COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS UP IN TEXAS

  

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are on rise in Texas, with over 10,700 people being treated in hospitals across the state on Thursdays.s

That figure is just shy of the record-high levels reported over the summer.

State health officials also reported over 12,700 new coronavirus infections on Christmas Eve, one day after setting a new record for daily infections with more than 19,000 new cases, Wednesday.

Health leaders across the country are calling on people to limit their holiday gatherings to members of their immediate households and to observe strict masking and social distancing practices for any in-person interactions.

Ten of the state's 22 trauma service areas have crossed a state-mandated hospitalization threshold that triggers tighter restrictions on businesses, an end to elective surgeries and the closure of bars.

Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, Dallas-Fort Worth, Longview, Lufkin, El Paso, Waco, Galveston and Laredo have all crossed the threshold, reporting that COVID-19 patients have occupied more than 15% of available hospital beds for at least seven consecutive days.