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Over 3,000 Texas Nursing Home Residents Test Positive for COVID-19

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According to a report by the Houston Chronicle, data released by the State of Texas on Friday, May 15, 2020, indicates that over 3,000 nursing home residents in the Lone Star State have tested positive for COVID-19. These represent approximately four percent of the total number of Texans estimated to be residing in nursing homes. In comparison, only 0.15 percent of other Texas residents, not living in nursing homes, have tested positive for the virus.

On Monday, May 11, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott ordered testing for COVID-19 in all Texas nursing home staff and residents following the move by the White House urging state governors to do so as a result of the rising deaths across the nation. For the majority of those who get the virus, the symptoms range from mild to moderate and include such things as a cough and fever. These have been known to clear up on their own in a span of two to three weeks. For those who are considered high risk, however, the coronavirus can result in more severe illness such as pneumonia, and then subsequently death in some cases.

Over 3,000 Texas Nursing Home Residents Test Positive for COVID-19

Photo: envato elements

Nationwide, over 26K staff and residents of long-term care homes and nursing homes have died as a result of COVID-19. This is based on reports tallied by the Associated Press from the media as well as state health departments. This number accounts for approximately one-third of the 76K deaths that have been reported in the U.S. which are attributed to the pandemic. In Texas, residents and staff of nursing homes account for approximately six percent of the Lone Star State’s positive COVID-19 cases. However, that amounts to roughly 38 percent of its deaths related to the pandemic. Although the coronavirus statistics for nursing homes and long-term care facilities have been released by the state by region, residents’ family members as well as sector advocates have been calling for a further breakdown by facility or by county at the very least.

Over 3,000 Texas Nursing Home Residents Test Positive for COVID-19

Photo: envato elements

While the current numbers for confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Texas has been reported at 47,784, the number of recovered has been listed at 27,570, and at least 1,336 deaths as a result of it, officials suggest the true numbers may be higher due to the lack of people being tested. Where they do not feel sick or have only mild symptoms, they don’t necessarily opt for the testing. A spike in cases has recently been reported in Amarillo as well as El Paso.