Experts and officials say people are exhausted with coronavirus restrictions and have begged them to don face coverings, socially distance and take “personal responsibility” for keeping themselves and their neighbors safe.
Coronavirus in Texas
As the coronavirus spread across the state, The Texas Tribune covered the most important health, economic, academic and breaking developments that affected Texans. Our map tracker showed the number of cases, deaths, tests and vaccinations in Texas from 2020-22.
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Coronavirus in Texas
State sends emergency medical personnel, supplies to El Paso as COVID-19 cases rise across Texas
A new University of Texas report says the El Paso area is at high risk of exceeding hospital bed and ICU capacity early next month, and many other Texas cities could see similar problems in the coming weeks.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott didn’t require masks at polling places. It’s made some voters uncomfortable.
Polling locations are one of Abbott’s 11 exemptions to his statewide mask mandate that went into effect July 3. Abbott said at the time that the exemption is meant to prevent people from being turned away at the polls just because they don’t have a mask, though he has also recommended that people wear them.
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Coronavirus in Texas
For many Texas kids, trick-or-treating is canceled because of the pandemic. These parents have other plans.
At least two counties – Hidalgo and El Paso – have banned door-to-door trick-or-treating. Others are discouraging participation while promoting safer alternatives such as carving pumpkins or having a candy hunt at home.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Some Texas school districts are requiring in-person instruction again, leaving parents scrambling for options
As the numbers of people infected and hospitalized by the coronavirus tick back up across the state, dozens of Texas school districts eliminated the option for remote learning and forced students, faculty and staff to return to the classroom, with few exceptions.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas is on the cusp of another COVID-19 surge. Is the state better prepared to handle it?
Experts say Texas is more prepared to handle another wave. But they fear that if the state fails to control the outbreak, it could quickly spiral out of control.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Health officials predict most Texans won’t have access to COVID-19 vaccine until July at the earliest
Under the state’s vaccine distribution plan, vulnerable people, including health care workers, older people and people with underlying medical conditions, would likely be the first to get the vaccine in the early months that it’s available.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Two key Texas counties — Democratic stronghold Harris and traditionally red Denton — are setting early voting records
As of Friday, 27% of registered voters in Denton County had cast their ballots in the 2020 election — surpassing the county’s 2016 turnout of 18% on the fourth day.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas unemployment rate rises to 8.3% in September, seven months into economic recession
After a summer of declining unemployment rates following Gov. Greg Abbott’s widespread business reopenings during the pandemic, the state’s unemployment rate jumped to 8.3% in September.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott boosts COVID-19 resources in Amarillo, Lubbock, where hospitalizations are rising
Abbott said Friday that the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Division of Emergency Management sent surge resources to the Panhandle and South Plains areas.