Texas Coronavirus Count Fast Approaching 2 Million

AUSTIN, TX — Texas is fast approaching the 2-million mark in cumulative cases of the coronavirus after the emergence of more than 22,000 new cases. In addition, 405 new deaths of the respiratory illness were reported over the last 24 hours.

According to a statistical dashboard maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services, 22,270 new cases of the illness were added to the historical total — bringing the cumulative total to 1,775,619. Additionally, officials reported 290 older confirmed, lab-reported cases to the tally, the most coming from Liberty County (34) and Atascosa County (23).

Concurrent to the new report, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services on Thursday announced the state has administered more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine — "...making Texas the national leader in vaccinations," according to an advisory. The vaccination milestone comes exactly one month to the day after the first doses arrived at vaccine providers in the state on Dec. 14, officials noted.

According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the Lone Star State has administered more doses than any other state, state officials noted. Among the top 20 states for doses distributed, Texas ranks number one for percentage of doses administered.

Not mentioned in the advisory is that Texas has recorded the 2nd-highest number of coronavirus cases — second only to California, which has recorded some 2.8 million cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Despite the spread of illness in Texas — a state with a population of some 29 million — Abbott struck a congratulatory tone in expounding on the vaccination milestone.

“Texas is leading the way for our nation once again,” Abbott said in a prepared statement. “This is the biggest vaccination effort we have ever undertaken, and it would not be possible without the dedication and tireless efforts of our healthcare workers. We still have a long road ahead of us, but Texans continue to prove that we are up to this challenge.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two vaccines from Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna for emergency use nationally. Johnson & Johnson could seek emergency approval of its vaccine from the FDA as early as February, according to reports.

Abbott on Monday telegraphed the vaccination milestone during an update staged at the Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center, a newly designated "vaccination hub" capable of achieving thousands of vaccinations each day. The Arlington facility is among 28 sites designated as vaccination hubs designed to increase the number of inoculations.

“Never before in the history of this state has Texas vaccinated so many people so quickly, “ Abbott said on Monday. “It’s stunning to see what we've accomplished.”

Voluntary vaccination continues throughout the state for front-line health care workers, residents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities along with Texans over 65 or with a chronic medical condition to aid in reducing hospitalizations and protect the health of those in these vulnerable populations.

Texas receives more vaccine from the federal government each week, Abbott said, and expects the weekly amount to increase in the future. "The State of Texas will continue to swiftly distribute these vaccines to reduce hospitalizations and save lives," his advisory read.
According to the state dashboard, the top 15 counties with the most number of coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic are:

• Harris County: 267,729.
• Dallas County: 197,359.
• Tarrant County: 156,876.
• Bexar County: 113,878.
• El Paso County: 104,714.
• Travis County: 56,825.
• Collin County: 52,566.
• Lubbock County: 44,757.
• Hidalgo County: 38,432.
• Fort Bend County: 36,733.
• Denton County: 35,964.
• Cameron County: 31,473.
• Webb County: 29,601.
• Montgomery County: 27,328.
• Williamson County: 24,908

The counties with the greatest number of coronavirus fatalities to date are:

• Harris: 3,658.
• Dallas: 2,301.
• Hidalgo: 1,991.
• Bexar: 1,912.
• El Paso: 1,869.
• Tarrant: 1,667.
• Cameron: 1,107.
• Lubbock: 622.
• Travis: 589.
• Nueces: 504.
• Webb: 489
• Collin: 439.
• Fort Bend: 417.
• Denton: 411.
• McLennan: 327.
• Montgomery County: 301.
• Smith: 293.
• Potter: 286.
• Brazoria: 260.
• Ector: 256.
• Jefferson: 253.
• Wichita: 248.
• Williamson: 245.
• Galveston: 237.
• Taylor: 234.