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SAN ANTONIO Texas has shattered the previous record of new daily COVID-19 cases for Christmas as health officials are pleading with people to stay home and avoid traveling for the holidays.
The state reported 19,185 new confirmed cases on Wednesday, as well as 294 new coronavirus-related deaths. The previous record for new daily infections was set on December 17 with 16,900 cases.
More than 10,500 COVID-19 patients in Texas remain in hospitals.
The Texas outbreak comes as San Antonio records an alarming amount of new virus cases this week, with 1,717 new cases reported Tuesday and 1,629 new cases reported Wednesday.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said on Wednesday that the city’s number of cases is 106,793.
Eight new virus-related deaths were reported in San Antonio on Wednesday.
Nirenberg and health officials across the state have urged residents to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 this holiday season as the pandemic that has already claimed more than 320,000 American lives has not slowed down.
“With COVID-19 cases increasing in our community at an alarming rate, it is crucial to remain disciplined to beat the virus,” Nirenberg said on Tuesday when an emergency alert was issued to locals. “By avoiding behaviors and situations that spread the coronavirus during the holiday season, we will slow the spread of COVID-19 and accelerate our return to normal behavior. Protect yourself and your loved ones. Keep wearing masks, keep your distance and keep COVID-19 at bay. “
This week, for the first time since a July outbreak, the number of daily hospital admissions in Texas exceeded 10,000 admissions.
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, nearly 26,000 people have died in Texas as a result of COVID-19, the second highest death toll in the country.
Gov. Greg Abbott, who received a COVID-19 vaccine on live television on Tuesday, has said he will not impose new lockdown measures, even if cases increase.
Texas is in Phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccinations for health professionals and long-term residents and staff. Texans who are 65 and older and those with qualifying health conditions are listed in Stage 1B, which is expected to start in at least a few weeks.
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