Surge in coronavirus cases linked to more Texans in their 20s getting sick, officials say
Gov. Greg Abbott and health experts say young adults may be taking social distancing less seriously. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46577d4d189e92b1584ee85aa543b0d6/Bars%20and%20Bowling%20Alleys%20reopen%20JV%20TT%2019.jpg)
-
![Customers wait in line to enter Chupacabra Cantina in downtown Austin as Texas bars reopened on May 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Years after a judge ordered fixes, Texas’ child welfare system continues to expose children to harm, federal monitors say
Two independent experts appointed to scrutinize the system described “a disjointed and dangerous child protection system ... where harm to children is at times overlooked, ignored or forgotten.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23e69ecb75c1598d57aed8d63c865b21/Texas%20DFPS%20EG%20TT%2023.jpg)
![The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services offices in Austin on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
As Texas coronavirus hospitalizations rise, local officials can recommend precautions but they can't enforce many of them
Austin-area officials recommended Monday that businesses further limit operations. But an order from Gov. Greg Abbott doesn't let them enforce those suggestions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/516f05cb6188086e93813e1772df507d/ATX%20Covid%20May%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![A sign requiring masks is posted at Cosmic Cowboy on South Congress Avenue on Austin. May 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
With coronavirus cases climbing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says "no real need" to scale back business reopenings
He cited the number of hospital beds available in the state as a reason. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/562ead02432f9ef5ec2b9b7b8b702239/ATX%20COVID%20Reopening%20AG%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Signs posted on the door of Ruth's Chris Steak House outline the restaurant's social distancing guidelines on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in Austin.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Casting nervous looks at Texas’ medical charts as numbers worsen
State leaders knew COVID-19 cases would rise as businesses and other public places opened, but steady increases over the last two weeks have everyone watching the numbers very closely. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/63d4a9fdf77b1ca7817341aabde678c3/Coronavirus%20May%20REUTERS%20TT%2003.JPG)
![Gov. Greg Abbott waits backstage before holding a press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: USA Today Network via REUTERS -
The oil crash folded their old business. Now they’re betting on a new kind of oil.
A family launches a new business with a baby on the way. A small town stages a socially distant graduation. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/66c24da7c9b71eb03e26627b47f770ae/Joseph%20Norman%20WK%2010%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Courtesy of Joseph Norman -
Texas reports largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases
The state recorded a total of 2,504 new cases Wednesday, hitting a new high. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c17ba2470582126551435583ecfb5a4f/Drive%20Up%20Testing%20Site%20Kyle%20EG%20%20TT%2030.jpg)
![Licensed vocational nurse, Amber Phillips, notes information for the patient regarding their COVID-19 test at the Austin Regional Center in Kyle on March 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Outside of Texas' big cities, some are still waiting nearly a month for coronavirus test results from state-run mobile units
While many county leaders were grateful that Texas deployed coronavirus testing resources in their communities, others complained of a chaotic planning process and test results delayed for weeks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/412785c633140fbdf70df6e29fe00ba4/National%20Guard%20COVID%20Testing%20TT.jpg)
![Soldiers with the Texas National Guard work at a drive-through COVID-19 testing center in Smithville on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK -
Number of Texans hospitalized with coronavirus hits all-time high as experts say cases are likely to continue increasing
The figures come a little more than a month since Gov. Greg Abbott's stay-at-home order expired and about two weeks after Memorial Day. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7353787d67906dab3869f6e28af109b7/Austin%20Hospital%20Exteriors%20EG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Exterior of St. David's Medical Center in Austin on March 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas has spent more than $200 million on personal protective equipment orders to combat coronavirus
The state has issued purchase orders totaling $1.1 billion for protective equipment, but orders for $638 million worth of items have been canceled. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/67b7e6cfdc2e8d93f28dbbe8ae8ccb5b/PPE%20Training%20MF%20TT%2014.JPG)
![An attendee looks through different types of hoods during a personal protection equipment training session in Houston on March 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
In rural Texas, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought more accessible mental health care
Mental health services have always been scarce in Texas' vast rural stretches. But the pandemic has caused the state to lift restrictions on providing care online or by phone. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c39f0987ea8f0eb18251306413b3fa67/Small%20Town%20Texas%20JV%20TT%2028.jpg)
![A view of downtown Moody.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
In Texas, COVID-19 case totals and hospitalizations are rising. The state says prisons and meatpacking plants are key factors.
The 14-day trend line shows new infections in Texas have risen about 71% in the past two weeks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bbca5413899140d4914f00b72fc9d843/HTX%20COVID%20Testing%20Site%20RM%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Harris County Health Department nurse Harriet Lewis administers a test at a Harris County testing site located at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on March 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Reggie Mathalone for The Texas Tribune -
Texas to increase coronavirus testing — and study the virus’ impact — in black and Hispanic communities
The state’s data on the impacts of the pandemic on people of color has been incomplete. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0dfb456ef41a4633e033982ed06cdf1c/HTX%20COVID%20Testing%20Site%20RM%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Harris County Health Department nurse Harriet Lewis administers a test at a Harris County testing site located at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on March 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Reggie Mathalone for The Texas Tribune -
Texas is short of its contact tracing workforce goal by more than 1,000 people
Health officials said there were roughly 2,900 contact tracers working in Texas, short of Gov. Greg Abbott's initial goal of 4,000 workers by June 1. State officials say it's enough for the current need. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/55046b393786045065e2acf59f6f0e07/Odessa%20COVID%20File%20BP%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Ector County Health Department workers narrow down the numbers of contact exposures while the screen projects positive case numbers and recovered patients at the Ector County Emergency Operations Center in Odessa. April 9, 2020.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
“The African American community is not alone”: A Houston restaurant owner joins the protests
They went to protests in Houston and El Paso, spoke at an online town hall in Midland and held small celebrations amid national upheaval. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8ef07c29aeacd9d81231b9cb9e76e83a/Debbie%20Chen%20WK%209%20TT%2001.jpg)
![From left, Au Huynh, Vee Duong, Emma Crooks, Gloria Gonzalez, Long Nguyen, Debbie Chen, Dr. Stephen Chao, Patricia Garcia.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Debbie Chen -
Almost all Texas businesses are allowed to open at 50% capacity, Gov. Greg Abbott says
The governor announced his third phase Wednesday of reopening the state’s businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/442bd2de84738bda5527d5ddd2cfd9b3/Abbott%20April%2017%20Presser%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the capitol in April.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr/The Texas Tribune -
The coronavirus pandemic has strained the mental health of front-line health workers
Doctors, nurses and other health workers are increasingly reaching out for mental health support as they risk exposing themselves or their families to the novel coronavirus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d5e7e4cdf7b6a7f2686bd42e13f19ecd/Dr%20Lane%20Aiena%20MF%20TT%2015.jpg)
![Dr. Lane Aiena.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
As coronavirus hits Texas, the state's top health official is spending 30 hours a week on a second job — that pays $600,000
Acting Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson chose not to accept salary and benefits for a temporary position leading one of Texas’ largest and most high-profile agencies. Instead, he continues to earn $636,694 from the Lower Colorado River Authority, more than double what the previous health commissioner made. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Long a GOP voice on health care, U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess seeks a higher post
The North Texas representative is vying to be the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2fe54416fe6aa23741d878459fd3aabd/Michael%20Burgess%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, gives an opening statement during the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing at the U.S. Capitol in response to COVID-19 outbreak. May 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Greg Nash/Pool via REUTERS -
“I didn’t care if I was exposed to COVID”: Protesters’ anger outweighed their fear of getting sick
Political leaders have sought to balance support for demonstrators’ rights of free expression with warnings about the public health risks of large crowds. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fd668f34063cd2fa3f366c7c1d7fa564/ATX%20Floyd%20Protest%20May%2031%20MG%20TT%2018.jpg)
![Protesters marched in Austin against the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers on May 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a6bdda05ee24256a206d1c9ffce9ada9/BD%20INC%20Wilson%20Phil%202013)