Coronavirus in Texas

Federal officials had previously approved a waiver allowing school districts to hand out curbside breakfasts and lunches to parents who show up. Now districts have more flexibility on how and what they feed students in free and reduced-price meals while schools are temporarily closed statewide. Full Story 

On Tuesday evening, Texas launched a new system for reporting cases of COVID-19. Officials said the new system will bring the state's count closer to those of counties and other sources that were reporting hundreds more cases. Full Story 

The new coronavirus has prompted parents to pull their kids from day care, and thousands have closed. But essential workers like nurses, police officers and grocery store clerks desperately need safe places to leave their children. Full Story 

The 37-year-old man has been isolated and is being treated at the prison system's Galveston hospital, where he's been for three days. Full Story 

"It's clear to me that we may not be achieving the level of compliance that is needed," Abbott said during a news conference in Austin. Full Story 

Denton's mayor and the county judge are pleading with Gov. Greg Abbott for an on-site hospital after six residents of the Denton State Supported Living Center, which has more than 1,800 residents and staff members, tested positive for the virus. Full Story 

Texas reported a record low unemployment rate of 3.5% in January. The historic high was 9.2% in 1986. Full Story 

The threat to the economy is important, but it's also secondary. The worst of the new coronavirus has not yet been visited upon us. Full Story 

Union members are advocating for government benefits like priority child care and better access to testing. Workers also want hazard pay and expanded sick leave policies. Full Story 

Eckhardt had been planning to resign to run for state Senate. Now she says she'll stay on until mid-May. Full Story 

Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story 

Public health precautions undertaken to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as the cancellation of more lucrative elective surgeries, will hit rural hospitals especially hard, administrators say. Full Story 

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Fox News on Monday that he would rather perish from the new coronavirus than see the economy destroyed for his grandchildren by overreaction to the disease. Full Story 

Law enforcement agencies are focusing instead on education or issuing warnings. Full Story 

Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story 

The orders represent some of the most stringent measures local officials in Texas have taken so far to address the colossal public health crisis. Full Story 

The warning comes one day after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered health care facilities and professionals to postpone all procedures that are deemed “not medically necessary” as the state gears up for an influx of patients with COVID-19. Full Story 

“If the virus has already been named by the [World Health Organization] as COVID-19, any renaming is highly politically charged and motivated,” said one researcher. Full Story 

Food banks and nonprofits are providing free meals, internet access and housing assistance. As they face an increase in demand during another coronavirus surge, the organizations are also asking for help. Full Story 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is requiring lawyers to wear personal protective equipment to detention facilities. That could keep the equipment out of the hands of medical personnel — or make it harder for lawyers to see their clients, some say. Full Story