Officials say they’re ramping up support by providing more testing across Texas and additional personnel for facilities where the virus has been detected. But people close to the facilities have reported that the state is responding too slowly to the emergency.
Stories by Texas Tribune fellows
The Texas Tribune welcomes a group of student fellows into our newsroom each spring, summer and fall. Here is a sampling of their work. Learn more about the fellowship program here.
โI feel like Iโm pregnant during the apocalypse”: How expectant Texas mothers are navigating the pandemic
Expectant mothers across the state are worried about finding baby supplies or giving birth alone. So far, Texas hospitals have sharply restricted their visitor policies, but none have prohibited visitors in delivery rooms.
Cancel chemo or risk compromised immune system? Cancer patients and oncologists confront coronavirus challenges
To combat coronavirus, hospitals and medical providers were told to cancel procedures and surgeries that aren’t urgent. But cancer patients facing delayed chemotherapy treatments say the stakes are higher for them.
Hundreds of UT-Austin students went to Cabo San Lucas for spring break. Nearly 50 have coronavirus.
The number of students with positive tests continues to grow as the University of Texas at Austin is now aware of 211 students who traveled to Cabo San Lucas for Spring Break.
Coronavirus outbreak at Texas City nursing home follows cluster of patients at San Antonio facility
Officials in both regions are tracking the movements of nursing home staffers, many of whom work at multiple facilities.
Thousands in Texas face delays to their unemployment relief because of busy phone lines and website outages
As tens of thousands of Texans try to file unemployment insurance claims, they’re finding the Texas Workforce Commission’s phone lines jammed and website servers overloaded as the agency is swamped by the crush of sudden need.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Texas’ ban on abortions during coronavirus pandemic
The court granted abortion providersโ motion to temporarily block the state from enforcing the order, which was set to expire April 21, as it relates to abortions.
Is Cabela’s an “essential” business? Texas counties differ on who should work during shelter in place
With Gov. Greg Abbott resisting calls for a statewide stay-at-home order, local officials are tasked with deciding which businesses and employees are essential. This strategy means the rules differ from county to county, and many employees are confused about why they’re being called in to work.
Abortion providers sue Texas over coronavirus-related order
Attorney General Ken Paxton said this week that abortions should not be performed unless the mother’s life is in danger, saying health care capacity needs to be preserved for COVID-19 patients.
How many coronavirus cases in Texas? Depends on who you ask
On Tuesday evening, Texas launched a new system for reporting cases of COVID-19. Officials said the new system will bring the state’s count closer to those of counties and other sources that were reporting hundreds more cases.

