TEXAS — As 2020 comes to a close the news gets worse and worse when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic in Texas.

The state on Tuesday reported new records for cases and hospitalizations.

The Texas Department of State Health Services most recently reported a staggering 26,990 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as well as 4,288 new probable cases.

On top of that, the state Tuesday reported 241 more Texans have died due to the virus.

There are now 11,775 people being treated for COVID-19 in Texas hospitals. That leaves 12,320 available hospital beds and just 653 available ICU beds.

Feeling the pressure of mounting cases and hospitalizations, DSHS on Tuesday announced the COVID-19 rollout plan is speeding up. Those providers in possession of vaccine are now encouraged to administer them to those individuals in Phase 1A - frontline health care workers and people in long-term care facilities – first, and then focus on vaccinating people in Phase 1B. Phase 1B includes Texans 65 years and older as well as people with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

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“A significant portion of vaccines distributed across Texas might be sitting on hospital shelves as opposed to being given to vulnerable Texans. The state urges vaccine providers to quickly provide all shots. We get plenty more each week. Always voluntary,” Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted.

State health officials report Texas has received nearly 612,000 vaccine doses and 163,700 people have received the first of two shots.

“All providers that have received COVID-19 vaccine must immediately vaccinate health care workers, Texans over the age of 65, and people with medical conditions that put them at a greater risk of severe disease or death from COVID-19,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Department of State Health Services.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.