/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/1211486091/0x0.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,0&ssl=1 "Local Officials In Texas Ask For Possible Return To Stay-At-Home Orders")
TOPLINE
Officials in some of Texas’ largest cities and the counties containing them are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to give them the authority to reinstate stay-at-home orders as a way of stemming the state’s coronavirus spike, just days after Abbott decided to reverse some of the state’s reopening efforts, a step the governor had said he hoped he wouldn’t have to take.
AUSTIN, USA – MAY 01 : Ciscos on historic East 6th Street in Austin, Texas is one of the few … [+]
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
KEY FACTS
The spread of coronavirus picked up rapidly in Texas this month, especially in the state’s large cities, and has raised serious concerns about health care systems being overwhelmed.
In separate letters to the governor, officials in the Austin, Dallas and San Antonio area have asked Abbott to consider enacting stronger restrictions, with the San Antonio and Austin letters specifically asking for the ability to bring back stay-at-home orders.
Judge Lina Hidalgo, of Houston’s Harris County, also said in a television interview that she’d like to see officials there have the ability to reinstate stay-at-home orders.
Texas was largely spared the significant effects of the first major U.S. coronavirus spike in March and April, so officials there were eager to start reopening the economy when they had the chance in late April.
The state had one of the most aggressive reopening efforts in the nation, and earlier this month allowed for restaurants to start operating at 75% capacity and bars at 50% capacity.
But after a massive rise in cases and, even more troubling, hospitalizations, which set a new record 16 days in a row from June 12-June 27, Abbott rolled back the state’s reopening on Friday, limiting restaurants to 50% capacity and closing bars completely, with the governor saying he regretted how fast he allowed bars in the state to reopen.
KEY BACKGROUND
As the nation’s second-largest state, Texas has greatly contributed to a recent record spike in coronavirus cases nationally. Before the start of June, Texas hadn’t reported as many as 2,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day. Its 7-day rolling average for new cases is now over 5,000.
But while Texas, as well as California and Florida, may be contributing an outsized chunk to the national increase because they are the three most populous states, the increase is widespread: According to The New York Times, cases are now on the rise in 32 states across the U.S.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
If current trends continue, Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, could reportedly soon be the hardest-hit city in the U.S. from the coronavirus, while Austin’s mayor has warned that hospitals could reach capacity in the next few weeks. Both cities are now developing plans to treat coronavirus patients outside of normal hospitals.
CRITICAL QUOTE
“The rapid increase in cases has outstripped our ability to track, measure, and mitigate the spread of disease,” Sam Biscoe, a judge for Austin’s Travis County, said in a letter addressed to Abbott on Monday.
BIG NUMBER
5,913 — That’s how many patients were reported hospitalized for the coronavirus in Texas Monday, again setting a new record. Sunday ended a 16-day streak for new coronavirus hospitalization records in Texas.
FURTHER READING
Texas city and county leaders ask Gov. Greg Abbott for authority to implement local stay-at-home orders (Texas Tribune)
Restaurants And Bars Across The US Are Re-Closing Due To Coronavirus Surge (Forbes)
Texas Has Set A New Coronavirus Hospitalization Record Every Day For 2 Weeks (Forbes)
Austin and Travis County in danger of hitting hospital capacity in July, Mayor Adler warns (KXAN-TV)
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