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Gov. Greg Abbott on spike in Texas COVID-19 cases: ‘It concerns me, but it doesn’t alarm me’
Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to Steve Eagar about the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Texas and calls to defund police departments.
DALLAS - Texas has surpassed 2,000 hospitalized coronavirus patients for the first time.
But Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday that "everything remains largely contained" as the state prepares to lift more restrictions this week.
It marked the second consecutive day of Texas reporting a new high in hospitalizations, which Abbott has described throughout the pandemic as one of the most important metrics he follows. Seventeen new deaths and 1,600 new cases were also reported, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Abbott said the state is still trying to determine why the numbers are rising, mentioning the Memorial Day weekend as one potential culprit. Since the May holiday, hospitalizations in Texas have jumped 36%.
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For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Texas began reopening faster than much of the country and is continue another phase of rebooting Friday by allowing restaurants to resume service at near capacity.
RELATED: Interactive map of Texas COVID-19 cases