TEXAS — Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday said it’s anticipated a million people in Texas will receive the COVID-19 vaccine before the end of December. The flip side of that hopeful news is that on the same day the state reported a single-day record for new cases of the virus.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Thursday reported 16,864 confirmed new coronavirus cases. On top of that the state reported 3,524 new probable cases.

There were 266 new fatalities attributed to the virus. Also as of Thursday, the state reported 1,371,223 total cases of the virus. Johns Hopkins University, whose numbers skew higher, is currently reporting 1,551,749 total cases in Texas. 

Additionally, DSHS reported 9,628 patients are being treated for COVID-19 in Texas hospitals. There are 11,230 available hospital beds in the state and 666 available ICU beds. Texas currently has 7,475 ventilators available.

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The situation in Austin-Travis County is concerning. Based on the moving seven-day average, the region has reached the threshold to be moved to Stage 5 COVID-19 guidelines on the color-coded chart produced by Austin Public Health. This could lead to a targeted curfew or business operating restrictions. Gov. Abbott Thursday again stated there will be no further shutdowns, however.

Austin-Travis County is currently reporting 44,381 active cases, 512 total deaths, 320 hospitalizations, and 94 patients in intensive care units.