Texas recorded its largest single-day increase of new coronavirus cases on Thursday with 1,855 infections being reported.
The Department of State Health Services said there were also 39 deaths linked to COVID-19, the highly-infectious disease caused by the virus.
Previously, the single-day high for new cases was 1,801 on May 16.
This brings the total number of cases in the Lone Star State to 59,776 – more than double since May 1 – and total number of deaths to 1,601, reported the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
It comes as Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, says fans can attend events at outdoor sporting venues starting this weekend.
On Thursday, Texas recorded its largest single-day increase of new coronavirus cases at 1,855, surpassing the previous high of 1,801 on May 16. Pictured: lan Araiza (left) sets up oxygen equipment for newly arrived COVID patient Angel Rodriguez, 40, with nurse Anita Pedy (right) at United Memorial Medical Center, in Houston, Texas, May 6
It comes as Governor Greg Abbott announced fans can attend professional sporting events in outdoor venues as long as capacity doesn’t exceed 25%. Pictured: Abbott announces the reopening of more Texas businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, May 18
Last week, Abbott predicted that college football would return by autumn. Pictured: A home plate perspective gives a view of Globe Life Field, the newly built home of the Texas Rangers, in Arlington, Texas, May 2
Chris Van Deusen, spokesman for the department, told the Star-Telegram that the uptick in cases is likely due to catch-up in reporting from Memorial Day Weekend.
However, hundreds of residents failed to social distance during the holiday break.
For example, some water parks opened despite Abbott’s order that they remain closed throughout the state.
Van Deusen also said health officials are just receiving results now from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s testing.
Water parks are allowed to open, though, on Friday as part of Phase II as are zoos and outdoor arenas.
Outdoor venues for professional sporting events can host fans as long as capacity doesn’t exceed 25 percent.
Only five counties are not included in the new decree: Deaf Smith, El Paso, Moore, Potter and Randall.
Fas are still not allowed to attend sporting events at indoor arenas and the new announcement doesn’t cover high school or college sports.
However, last week, Abbott predicted that college football would resume in the autumn.
‘My prediction is, yes, we’re going to have college football beginning as scheduled, on schedule, with at least some level of fans in the stands,’ he told KXAN-TV.
‘Would it be strategic and limited to ensure that we have safe distancing practices? There are factors we simply do not know at this time.’
On Thursday, Rice University’s Kinder Institute released a new report that predicted Houston will be the hardest hit city in Texas by the coronavirus pandemic.
This is because Houston doesn’t have a trash pickup fee and can’t temporarily increase taxes past its revenue cap.
The authors believe that the city’s mayor will have to furlough some employees and even make pay cuts due to the financial loss.
‘I think it will be much more difficult for Houston to balance the budget and maintain services than other large cities in Texas. even though other large cities will be affected by COVID,’ Bill Fulton, an urban planner with the Kinder Institute, told KHOU.
Because of less tax money being brought in, Fulton predicts that some services will be cut.
‘Usually parks and libraries are the first things cut. Police and fire are the last things cut,’ he said.
