As local officials express concerns that their hospitals could be overloaded with coronavirus patients, some are urging Gov. Greg Abbott to empower local governments to issue stay-at-home orders.
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
How Texans celebrated July Fourth during the coronavirus pandemic
Four Texas Tribune photographers went out to see how Texans were celebrating the holiday as the new coronavirus surges and new restrictions are imposed to stem its rise. Here’s what they saw.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Ector County GOP censures Abbott over executive power amid coronavirus, state Sen. Charles Perry calls for special session
The developments came two days after Abbott announced an executive order requiring Texans to wear masks in most public places.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Ten out of the 12 hospitals in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley are now full
“We are now at the point of grave concern,” said the CEO of one hospital system in deep South Texas as local hospitals began diverting patients away from their emergency rooms amid a crush of COVID-19 infections.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Bar exam for Texas’ aspiring lawyers canceled in July due to coronavirus concerns
Following pleas from law school deans and prospective lawyers, the Texas Supreme Court has canceled the July bar exam and will plan for an in-person exam in September and an online exam in October.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide mask mandate exempts voting sites and churches
As for the voting exemption in his mask order, Abbott says it was designed to make sure Texans do not lose their right to vote “simply because they don’t have a mask.”
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Coronavirus in Texas
“How many more are coming?” What it’s like inside hospitals as coronavirus grips Texas’ Rio Grande Valley
The surge in coronavirus cases has slammed hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley. Additional wards have opened. Doctors and nurses pull extra shifts. And the stream of sick people, some gasping for air, keeps growing.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texans in most counties to wear masks in public
Abbott previously resisted calls for such an order and at one point banned local governments from requiring masks. First-time violators will be issued a warning, though repeat offenders could be fined up to $250.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Upcoming Texas bar exam has law students, deans asking for in-person testing to be scrapped
The Board of Law Examiners recommended Thursday that the Texas Supreme Court cancel both the July and September bar exams and schedule an online, October exam instead. The high court is expected to make the final decision Thursday afternoon.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Vanilla Ice cancels Fourth of July weekend concert near Austin as coronavirus cases surge
Plans for the concert drew outrage due to public health warnings that large gatherings can accelerate the spread of the coronavirus. But as of Wednesday night, only 84 tickets had been sold.