Texas has confirmed more than one million cases of COVID-19, the most in the nation, and local leaders are preparing for a response from a potential Biden Administration. Texas reported 5,404 additional cases Sunday and 6,080 total patients in hospitals across the state.
The number of patients is the highest since August 18. COVID-19 patients occupy 9.54% of hospital capacity across the state. In El Paso, COVID-19 patients are using 41.21% of capacity. COVID-19 patients accounted for 31.79% of total hospital capacity around Amarillo and 21.51% aroudn Lubbock.
Hospitals in North Texas reported 1,551 COVID-19 patients Sunday; COVID-19 patients occupied 10.29% of hospital capacity in the Metroplex.
In Dallas County, Judge Clay Jenkins says he has already talked to members of the planned Biden Administration.
"They wanted to talk about COVID and what they could do to help. I have yet to have that call from the Trump Administration," he says. "We're going to be looking at, right from the get-go, what we can do with the CDC and Biden Administration to keep you more safe."
Dallas County reported 807 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Sunday and an additional 41 probable cases.
Tarrant County reported 456 cases Sunday but had set single day records Thursday, Friday and Saturday, reaching 1,062 cases Saturday.
"It is concerning. We are watching those numbers very closely," says Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley.
Whitley says the health care system is adapting to COVID-19 and treatment is improving. He supports the use of masks and social distancing, but he says those decisions should be left to local officials.
"I hope, from the federal level, they'll focus on the vaccine, focus on getting, not only getting an approved one ready, but getting it into mass production," he says.
Collin County reported 355 cases Sunday. Denton County does not report case numbers on Sundays.
