Texas approaching 14,000 total virus deaths as hospitalizations, daily new cases continue to fall

AUSTIN, Texas — At least 3,488 new cases were reported Friday of the coronavirus, as well as 144 new Covid-19 deaths, the Texas Department of State Health Services said.

In El Paso, there were 9 new virus deaths announced Friday and 85 additional cases.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Texas since early March rose to 653,356, as well as 13,997 Covid-19 deaths, state health officials said. However, the true number of cases in Texas is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

Health officials estimated 71,292 cases are now active, 3,475 of them requiring hospitalization. The number of hospitalizations has been decreasing since peaking in July at 10,893, and the number of newly reported cases has also been decreasing since then.

For many people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.