TEXAS — Although the omicron variant of COVID-19 produces symptoms that are generally milder than those associated with the delta variant, it’s quick proliferation is pushing Texas hospitals to their limits.

The state on Thursday surpassed 13,000 total hospitalizations for the virus, and the majority of those hospitalized are unvaccinated.

The Texas Department of State Health Services most recently reported 13,094 total hospitalizations in Texas, of whom 2,614 are in intensive care and 1,494 are on ventilators.

A total 486 pediatric patients are currently hospitalized with the disease in Texas.

Although hospitalizations are up new cases of the virus were down slightly Thursday.

DSHS reported 37,900 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 as well as 8,515 new probable cases. The state on Thursday reported 166 more deaths attributed to the virus.

The state health department has launched a new dashboard detailing COVID deaths and cases by vaccination status. Data through Dec. 24, 2021, shows unvaccinated Texans were twice as likely to test positive for the virus and 16 times more likely to die from it than their vaccinated counterparts.