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Available hospital beds in Texas fall below 20% as coronavirus continues its deadly spike upward

New state health department data reveals the number of available hospital beds in Texas continues to drop.

AUSTIN, Texas — For the first time since the coronavirus outbreak began in Texas, the number of staffed hospital beds in the state has fallen below 20%. According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, approximately 19% of the hospital beds remained available as of Thursday. Of the 58,002 staffed beds, 11,296 were available for patients.  

A KVUE analysis of state health department data shows hospitalizations across Texas have increased 137% over the past 14 days, based on a rolling average.

Health department data also shows a strong uptick in confirmed coronavirus cases in Hays and Caldwell Counties. KVUE examined case data from June 9 and compared it with data for July 8 and found that in a 30-day period, Hays and Caldwell County cases skyrocketed. While testing was up in those counties, the percentage of new cases outpaced the percentage rise in testing.

Hays County saw a 187% increase in testing, while cases shot up 635%. Testing in Caldwell County rose 180% while cases increased 582%.

RELATED: Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Travis County reports 703 new COVID-19 cases

The data revealed that among the 12 counties the comprise the KVUE viewing area, the highest per capita number of cases per 1,000 residents was in Hays County with 14 infections per 1,000 persons. Caldwell County had 12 cases per 1,000 and Travis County reported 10 cases per 1,000 persons.

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