More counties in North Texas have made decisions on whether to allow bars to open next week. Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday county judges could decide whether to let bars open up to 50% capacity in regions where COVID-19 patients take up less than 15% of hospital beds.
In North Texas, the Department of State Health Services says hospitals in the region had 916 COVID-19 patients Thursday, up from 913 Wednesday but representing just 7.2% of total hospitalizations across the area.
Thursday evening, Collin County Judge Chris Hill said he would allow bars to reopen next Wednesday.
"Our Collin County hospitals and healthcare professionals continue to serve our community with excellence. At no time this year has our hospital capacity been overwhelmed or threatened by COVID-19. Quite simply, Collin County should be completely open. I will listen to everyone, but will follow the science," Hill wrote in a statement.
Hill says COVID-19 patients have occupied an average of 3.05% of hospital beds in Collin County since tracking began March 21. He says the county had a total of 103 COVID-19 patients Thursday.
Denton County Judge Andy Eads says he will also file paperwork allowing bars to open. He says COVID-19 patients there account for 6.8% of total hospitalizations.
After Abbott's announcement, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said he would not allow bars to open.
"I will listen to everyone but will follow the science," he tweeted, writing that numbers were increasing.
Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley says he is meeting with the county's legal team, public health officials and hospital leaders; he has not yet made a decision.
