Early hot spots have been eclipsed by new regions in crisis. Now that so much of Texas is battling major coronavirus outbreaks, some severely ill patients have to travel long distances to receive the care they need.
Edgar Walters
Edgar Walters worked at the Tribune from 2013 to 2020, most recently covering health and human services. Before that, he had a political reporting fellowship with the Berliner Zeitung, a daily newspaper in Berlin. He is a graduate of the Plan II Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin, where he worked as an editor for The Daily Texan. When not in the newsroom or at the Capitol, he could be found on the volleyball court, standing 6 feet, 7 inches tall.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas hospitals are running out of drugs, beds, ventilators and even staff
Many Texas hospitals are no longer accepting transfer patients in order to maintain space for a surge that’s expected to come. In some parts of the state, it’s already here.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Nearly 14% of new U.S. COVID-19 cases are recorded in Texas
Texas’ coronavirus cases now make up a significantly higher proportion than its 9% share of the nation’s population.
Posted in
Coronavirus: The pandemic through Texans' eyes
As COVID-19 cases surge in Texas, a hospital administrator retires — but is ready to jump back into the fight
A hospital says goodbye, a restaurant welcomes diners back and others reflect on the pandemic’s lessons. In the finale of our weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas is short of its contact tracing workforce goal by more than 1,000 people
Health officials said there were roughly 2,900 contact tracers working in Texas, short of Gov. Greg Abbott’s initial goal of 4,000 workers by June 1. State officials say it’s enough for the current need.
Posted in
Coronavirus: The pandemic through Texans' eyes
“The African American community is not alone”: A Houston restaurant owner joins the protests
They went to protests in Houston and El Paso, spoke at an online town hall in Midland and held small celebrations amid national upheaval. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
“I didn’t care if I was exposed to COVID”: Protesters’ anger outweighed their fear of getting sick
Political leaders have sought to balance support for demonstrators’ rights of free expression with warnings about the public health risks of large crowds.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
They lost their jobs and insurance in the pandemic. Now they’re slipping through Texas’ health care safety net.
Texas had the highest uninsured rate of any state before the outbreak. It’s also among a minority of states that have declined to expand Medicaid coverage to people with incomes near or below the poverty line.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
After blowback, Texas admits 6% of its reported tests were for antibodies, not active infections
The state is now distinguishing antibody tests from standard viral tests.
Posted in
Coronavirus: The pandemic through Texans' eyes
“There won’t be a goodbye party”: Hospital administrator prepares to retire during pandemic
A hospital administrator gets a special gift. A food pantry worker gets her coronavirus test results. A Midland family cancels its annual fishing trip. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.