TEXAS -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently warned that as the state reopens for business, cases of the novel coronavirus will increase. It appears his assessment was correct.

What You Need To Know


  • Texas on Wednesday reported 2,153 COVID-19 hospitalizations

  • Increase in cases attributed by state officials to more testing

  • Comes as state economy is moving toward complete reopening 

The Texas Department of State Health Services on Wednesday reported 2,153 hospitalizations in the state related to COVID-19. That's a record number of hospitalizations for a third straight day. On Monday it had recorded 1,935 hostpitalizations. That was a record number of cases in the Lone Star State and up from the previous record of 1,888 on May 5.

Officials have attributed recent spikes in positive cases to increased testing, and indeed testing has increased, with dedicated teams assigned to areas of the state identified as hot spots. Those hot spots typically are home to businesses with high rates of infection such as nursing homes and meatpacking plants.

Still, there is no denying that as businesses have reopened in Texas social distancing has decreased. People shopping without facial coverings has become a more common site.

Abbott on June 3 announced Phase 3 of the state’s plan to reopen the economy which permits nearly all businesses to operate at 50 percent capacity. Restaurants can expand to 75 percent capacity beginning June 12.

RELATED: Gov. Abbott Announces Nearly All Texas Businesses Can Expand to 50% Capacity

Texas is not alone. States including Arizona, Nevada, California and numerous others have reported spikes as well.

There is also concern that large groups gathered for Black Lives Matter protests could push the numbers higher.

The numbers aren’t lost on state leaders. Abbott on Monday announced Texas will push for increased coronavirus testing in minority communities following complaints from black lawmakers that the state isn’t doing enough to track racial data.

RELATED: Texas to Push for More Virus Testing in Minority Communities

The Texas Department of State Health Services on Tuesday reported an estimated 23,341 active coronavirus cases in the state, 1,836 confirmed fatalities, an estimated 50,439 recoveries, and 135,583 administered antibody tests as of Sunday.