Texas Governor Greg Abbott says a drop in hospitalizations and new COVID-19 cases shows restrictions put in place this summer are helping slow the spread of the virus.
Bars were closed a second time June 26, and restaurants that earn less than half their revenue from alcohol have been limited to 50 percent capacity. July 2, Abbott ordered people to wear masks in public areas in counties with at least 20 cases.
"Every decision I have made has been a decision that is in the best interest of the health and safety of the people of the State of Texas, as well as maintaining businesses trying to be as open as possible," Abbott says.
Hospitalizations peaked July 22, with 10,893 COVID-19 patients across Texas. Sunday, hospitals across the state reported 5,186 patients.
Hospitals in North Texas reported 969 COVID-19 patients Sunday. That was the first time since June 22 hospitals in the Metroplex had fewer than 1,000 patients.
"The proof is in the pudding. The proof is that in the aftermath of those requirements on my part, we have seen a reduction of the number of people testing positive and a reduction in the number of hospitalizations," Abbott says.
Texas reported 4,398 additional cases of COVID-19 Sunday, but the Department of State Health Services says 905 cases were part of the backlog.
Dallas County reported 1,086 cases of COVID-19 Saturday but says 862 of those cases were from the backlog. Sunday, Dallas County reported 332 cases and says 93 were previously not added to the state's log. Of those 93, Dallas County says three were from July, 32 were from June, 22 were from May, 31 were from April and five were from March.
Abbott says patients who tested positive were notified immediately, the cases just were not added to the state's log.
"That limitation has now been fixed, and there is no more backlog because of the limitation and being able to import into the system the number of test results," Abbott says.
