AUSTIN, Texas – Texas on Sunday reported 2,262 new cases of the coronavirus as the state’s total since the pandemic began nears 800,000.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said the state's total number of cases so far is at 792,478. The state on Sunday reported 31 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 16,557.
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The actual number of cases in Texas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Earlier this week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the shutdown order on bars that has been in place since June, though he made the reopenings conditional on the approval of county leaders.
New cases in Texas have dramatically fallen since summer and the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has leveled off since days in July when the state was reached daily counts of more than 10,000 in hospitals. On Sunday, there were about 3,600 hospitalizations.
For most people, the COVID-19 virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, and be fatal.