Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas and Williamstown, PA: Difference between pages

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#REDIRECT [[Williamstown, Pennsylvania]]
{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic in Texas|Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}
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The following is a '''timeline of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Texas]]'''.
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== Background and evacuee cases ==
[[File:Dallas - Fort Worth International Airport.jpg|thumb|Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport one of eleven airports in the U.S. receiving diverted flights from China after February&nbsp;3.|alt=Aerial view of the DFW airport]]
A [[COVID-19 pandemic|pandemic]] involving the spread of [[coronavirus disease 2019]] (COVID-19), caused by the [[severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]] (SARS-CoV-2), began in 2019 with the outbreak first identified in [[Wuhan]], China, in December&nbsp;2019.<ref name="WHO_NamingDisease">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it |url=https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=2020-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228035651/https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it |archive-date=February 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WHO_NovelCoronavirus">{{#invoke:Cite web||title=Novel Coronavirus – China |url=https://www.who.int/csr/don/12-january-2020-novel-coronavirus-china/en/ |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=2020-07-05 |date=2020-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302155806/https://www.who.int/csr/don/12-january-2020-novel-coronavirus-china/en/ |archive-date=March 2, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="MayoClinicCOVID">{{#invoke:Cite web||title=Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963 |publisher=Mayo Clinic |access-date=2020-07-05 |date=2020-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628055431/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963 |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) declared the outbreak a [[Public Health Emergency of International Concern]] on January&nbsp;30 and evaluated it as a pandemic on March&nbsp;11, 2020.<ref name="WHO_StatementRegardingNovel">{{cite press release |title=Statement on the second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov) |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=2020-07-05 |location=Geneva, Switzerland |date=2020-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131005904/https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov) |archive-date=January 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WHO_DGOpeningRemarks11March">{{cite press release |title=WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020 |url=https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020 |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=2020-07-05 |date=2020-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311212521/https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020 |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first case in the United States was reported in [[Snohomish County, Washington]], on January&nbsp;20,<ref name="Holshue et al.">{{cite journal |last1=Holshue |first1=Michelle L. |last2=DeBolt |first2=Chas |last3=Lindquist |first3=Scott |last4=Lofy |first4=Kathy H. |last5=Wiesman |first5=John |last6=Bruce |first6=Hollianne |last7=Spitters |first7=Christopher |last8=Ericson |first8=Keith |last9=Wilkerson |first9=Sara |last10=Tural |first10=Ahmet |last11=Diaz |first11=George |last12=Cohn |first12=Amanda |last13=Fox |first13=LeAnne |last14=Patel |first14=Anita |last15=Gerber |first15=Susan I. |last16=Kim |first16=Lindsay |last17=Tong |first17=Suxiang |last18=Lu |first18=Xiaoyan |last19=Lindstrom |first19=Steve |last20=Pallansch |first20=Mark A. |last21=Weldon |first21=William C. |last22=Biggs |first22=Holly M. |last23=Uyeki |first23=Timothy M. |last24=Pillai |first24=Satish K. |title=First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States |journal=New England Journal of Medicine |date=5 March 2020 |volume=382 |issue=10 |pages=929–936 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa2001191|doi-access=free|pmid=32004427|pmc=7092802 }}</ref> and the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] declared a [[public health emergency (United States)|public health emergency]] on January&nbsp;31, 2020.<ref name="TrumpDeclaresEmergencyRestrictsChina">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Aubrey |first1=Allison |title=Trump Declares Coronavirus A Public Health Emergency And Restricts Travel From China |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/31/801686524/trump-declares-coronavirus-a-public-health-emergency-and-restricts-travel-from-c |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=NPR |date=2020-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304221212/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/31/801686524/trump-declares-coronavirus-a-public-health-emergency-and-restricts-travel-from-c |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The initial spread of COVID-19 in Texas may have begun prior to the first contemporaneously confirmed case, very likely as early as September 2019 in Houston. In January, February, and March&nbsp;2020, 1,473&nbsp;more Texans died compared to the January–March average for 2014–2019. While the [[Texas Department of State Health Services]] (DSHS) attributed 41 of these deaths to COVID-19, [[USA Today]] reported that doctors believed additional COVID-19 deaths may not have been accounted for due to limited testing early in the pandemic.<ref name="DeathDataSuggestUndercountPossible">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Priest |first1=Jessica |title=Coronavirus in Texas: Death data suggest COVID-19 undercount possible |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200502/coronavirus-in-texas-death-data-suggest-covid-19-undercount-possible |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=2020-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607230309/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200502/coronavirus-in-texas-death-data-suggest-covid-19-undercount-possible |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> In one specific case, [[Bastrop County, Texas|Bastrop County]] judge Paul Pape reported symptoms starting February&nbsp;9.<ref name="BastropJudgeContracted">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Mulder |first1=Brandon |title=Exclusive: Bastrop County judge contracted, recovered from COVID-19, test shows |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200507/exclusive-bastrop-county-judge-contracted-recovered-from-covid-19-test-shows |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-05-07 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531081206/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200507/exclusive-bastrop-county-judge-contracted-recovered-from-covid-19-test-shows |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The infection risk of COVID-19 in Texas was initially expected to be low in mid-January, with risks limited to travelers recently returning from China.<ref name="ContinuesSpreadRiskInfectionAustinLow">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus continues to spread, but risk of infection in Austin is low |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus-continues-to-spread-but-risk-of-infection-in-austin-is-low/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-02-03 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> [[KWKT-TV]] in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]] reported that the virus was "no cause of concern in Central Texas" according to local doctors amid the ongoing [[2019–2020 United States flu season|flu season]].<ref name="ConcernsInCentralTexas">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Setser |first1=Emily |title=Coronavirus concerns in Central Texas |url=https://www.fox44news.com/news/local-news/coronavirus-concerns-in-central-texas/#/questions/2574674 |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=KWKT |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-01-31 |location=Waco, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123132843/https://www.fox44news.com/news/local-news/coronavirus-concerns-in-central-texas/#/questions/2574674 |archive-date=January 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On January&nbsp;23, a student at [[Texas A&M University]] was [[isolation (health care)|isolated]] and monitored by the [[Local health departments in the United States|Brazos County Health District]] after returning from [[Wuhan, China]], and presenting with a respiratory illness; at the time, there was only one known case of COVID-19 in the United States.<ref name="StudentMayHaveWuhanCoronavirus">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Baker |first1=Mike |title=Texas Student May Have Wuhan Coronavirus, as Dozens in U.S. Are Monitored |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/us/united-states-coronavirus-cases.html |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=The New York Times |date=2020-01-25 |location=New York, New York |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701162852/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/us/united-states-coronavirus-cases.html |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TAMUPossibleCase">{{cite press release |title=Texas A&M Confirms Possible Case Of Coronavirus |url=https://today.tamu.edu/2020/01/23/texas-am-confirms-possible-case-of-coronavirus/ |publisher=Texas A&M University |access-date=2020-07-05 |date=2020-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531013218/https://today.tamu.edu/2020/01/23/texas-am-confirms-possible-case-of-coronavirus/ |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TexasStudentBeingTestedPossible">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Whitcomb |first1=Dan |title=Texas student who traveled to China being tested for possible coronavirus |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-usa/texas-student-who-traveled-to-china-being-tested-for-possible-coronavirus-idUSKBN1ZM33B |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=Reuters |date=2020-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201195510/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-usa/texas-student-who-traveled-to-china-being-tested-for-possible-coronavirus-idUSKBN1ZM33B |archive-date=February 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> They were the first person in Texas contemporaneously identified as potentially contracting SARS-CoV-2.<ref name="BaylorStudentSecondPerson" /> Medical supply stores in the [[Brazos Valley]] experienced medical mask shortages as demand increased in response to the first suspected case.<ref name="StoresCentralTexasRunningOut">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Asmelash |first1=Leah |title=Stores in central Texas are running out of medical masks after possible case of coronavirus reported |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/01/25/stores-in-central-texas-are-running-out-of-medical-masks-after-possible-case-of-coronavirus-reported/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |agency=CNN |publisher=KSAT.com |date=2020-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604123258/https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/01/25/stores-in-central-texas-are-running-out-of-medical-masks-after-possible-case-of-coronavirus-reported/ |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the next four days, Texas health officials identified another three suspected cases of COVID-19 meeting testing criteria, including a student at [[Baylor University]]; all four tested negative for the virus after samples were delivered to the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], leaving no confirmed cases in Texas.<ref name="TexasA&MSuspectedContracting">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fernández |first1=Stacy |title=Texas A&M student suspected of contracting deadly coronavirus has been quarantined in Brazos County |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/23/texas-coronavirus-case-suspected-brazos-county/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=2020-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527074122/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/23/texas-coronavirus-case-suspected-brazos-county/ |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="FourCasesNegative">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Texas officials say all four suspected coronavirus cases tested negative |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/27/baylor-student-does-not-have-coronavirus-health-officials-say/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=2020-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613094825/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/27/baylor-student-does-not-have-coronavirus-health-officials-say/ |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="4PatientsTested">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Jones |first1=Hannah |title=Texas Health Officials Confirm 4 Patients Tested for Coronavirus |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/texas-health-officials-confirm-4-patients-have-been-tested-for-coronavirus/2298197/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=NBC DFW |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-01-24 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630152232/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/texas-health-officials-confirm-4-patients-have-been-tested-for-coronavirus/2298197/ |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BaylorStudentSecondPerson">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fernández |first1=Stacy |title=Baylor student becomes second person in Texas suspected of contracting coronavirus |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/24/baylor-student-suspected-contracting-coronavirus-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=2020-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427155257/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/24/baylor-student-suspected-contracting-coronavirus-texas/ |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[Tarrant County, Texas|Tarrant County]] Health Department activated its operations center on January&nbsp;24. Paramedics in the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Metroplex]] increased usage of [[personal protective equipment]] (PPE) and adjusted their [[screening (medicine)|screening]] procedures for respiratory illnesses.<ref name="2PossibleCasesNorthTexasPrepares">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Dickson |first1=Gordon |title=With 2 possible cases in the state, North Texas prepares for the coronavirus |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article239604228.html |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=2020-01-29 |location=Fort Worth, Texas |access-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511005309/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article239604228.html |archive-date=May 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="4PeopleTexasIncludingStudents">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fink |first1=Jack |title=4 People In Texas Tested For Coronavirus Including Students At Baylor & Texas A&M Universities |url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/01/24/texas-tested-coronavirus-students-at-baylor-texas-am-universities/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=CBSDFW.com |publisher=CBS Broadcasting |date=2020-01-24 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407235949/https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/01/24/texas-tested-coronavirus-students-at-baylor-texas-am-universities/ |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hospital protocols were updated to isolate patients presenting to emergency rooms with COVID-19 symptoms and with recent travel to Wuhan.<ref name="4PeopleTexasIncludingStudents" /><ref name="DoctorsUpdatePatientScreeningProcess">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=North Texas Doctors Update Patient Screening Process Amid Coronavirus Outbreak |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/local-doctors-update-patient-screening-process-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/2299848/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=NBCDFW.com |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-01-28 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312190000/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/local-doctors-update-patient-screening-process-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/2299848/ |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> While the CDC did not initially designate [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]] to carry out "enhanced screening" of passengers for COVID-19, the airport began coordinating with local hospitals and health departments in late-January.<ref name="2PossibleCasesNorthTexasPrepares" /> The CDC later implemented COVID-19 screenings at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport]] in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], and [[El Paso International Airport]], with screenings beginning "on a rolling basis" according to [[Nancy Messonnier]] of the CDC. These locations were designated as three of twenty CDC Quarantine Stations across the U.S. due to their frequent use as points of arrival for international travelers.<ref name="CoronavirusScreeningsComing">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Land |first1=Davis |title=Coronavirus Screenings Coming To Houston, Dallas And El Paso |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/health-science/2020/01/28/358620/coronavirus-screenings-to-start-at-houstons-bush-intercontinental-airport/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=Houston Public Media |publisher=University of Houston |date=2020-01-29 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202170142/https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/health-science/2020/01/28/358620/coronavirus-screenings-to-start-at-houstons-bush-intercontinental-airport/ |archive-date=February 2, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="USQuarantineStations">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=U.S. Quarantine Stations |url=https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/quarantine-stations-us.html |website=Quarantine and Isolation |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=2020-07-05 |date=2017-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020191249/https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/quarantine-stations-us.html |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Allied Pilots Association]], a [[labor union]] representing pilots serving [[American Airlines]], sued American Airlines on January&nbsp;30 through [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]] to end all flights to China;<ref name="AAPilotsSueStopFlights">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=American Airlines pilots sue to stop flights to China over coronavirus |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/01/30/american-airlines-pilots-suing-to-stop-flights-to-china-over-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-01-30 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311093110/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/01/30/american-airlines-pilots-suing-to-stop-flights-to-china-over-coronavirus/ |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PatientsHeadedDFW" /> the airline acquiesced on February&nbsp;4.<ref name="AmericanAirlinesSuspendsHK">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=American Airlines suspends Hong Kong flights too as coronavirus threat affects demand |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/02/04/american-airlines-suspends-hong-kong-flights-too-with-coronavirus-threat/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-02-04 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309152648/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/02/04/american-airlines-suspends-hong-kong-flights-too-with-coronavirus-threat/ |archive-date=March 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February&nbsp;3, the [[U.S. Department of Homeland Security]] named Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as one of 11&nbsp;airports receiving rerouted flights from China.<ref name="DHSSupplementalInstructions">{{cite press release |title=DHS Issues Supplemental Instructions for Inbound Flights with Individuals Who Have Been In China |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/02/02/dhs-issues-supplemental-instructions-inbound-flights-individuals-who-have-been-china |publisher=Department of Homeland Security |access-date=2020-07-05 |location=Washington, D.C. |date=2020-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606152007/https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/02/02/dhs-issues-supplemental-instructions-inbound-flights-individuals-who-have-been-china |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Health workers from the CDC were dispatched to the airport to screen passengers for COVID-19 symptoms.<ref name="PatientsHeadedDFW">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Arnold |first1=Kyle |title=Are coronavirus patients headed to DFW Airport? Here's what airlines and health officials are doing |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/02/03/are-coronavirus-patients-headed-to-dfw-airport-heres-what-airlines-and-health-officials-are-doing/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-02-03 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603183218/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/02/03/are-coronavirus-patients-headed-to-dfw-airport-heres-what-airlines-and-health-officials-are-doing/ |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Screenings were also expanded to border crossings between the U.S. and [[Mexico]] at [[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]].<ref name="CDCConfirmsTestingElPasoAirportBorder">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Parker |first1=Jim |title=CDC confirms that Coronavirus testing is expanding to El Paso's airport and border crossings |url=https://kvia.com/health/2020/01/28/coronavirus-testing-expands-to-el-paso-including-airport-border-crossings/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=KVIA.com |agency=Associated Press |publisher=News-Press & Gazette of Texas |date=2020-01-29 |location=El Paso, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315151447/https://kvia.com/health/2020/01/28/coronavirus-testing-expands-to-el-paso-including-airport-border-crossings/ |archive-date=March 15, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Texas A&M University suspended all undergraduate travel to China on January&nbsp;28 and allowed only essential travel to China for faculty, staff, and graduate students.<ref name="TAMUUndergradChinaSuspend">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Hall |first1=Katie |title=Texas A&M suspends all undergrad student travel to China amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200128/texas-am-suspends-all-undergrad-student-travel-to-china-amid-coronavirus-outbreak |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-01-28 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318205749/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200128/texas-am-suspends-all-undergrad-student-travel-to-china-amid-coronavirus-outbreak |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Baylor University and the [[University of Texas]] also temporarily banned university-sponsored travel to China with the exception of essential travel.<ref name="TexasOfficialsKeepCalmWashHands">{{#invoke:Cite news||last1=Fernández |first1=Stacy |title=Texas officials on the coronavirus: Keep calm and wash your hands |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/30/will-coronavirus-hit-texas-what-state-doing-and-more/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=2020-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423054029/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/30/will-coronavirus-hit-texas-what-state-doing-and-more/ |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two people in the Dallas area were monitored for possible contraction of COVID-19 on January&nbsp;31.<ref name="PossibleCasesUnderReviewDallas">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Highberger |first1=Jack |title=Possible Cases of Coronavirus Under Review in Dallas |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/possible-cases-of-coronavirus-under-review-in-dallas/2302808/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=NBCDFW.com |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-01-31 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613094859/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/possible-cases-of-coronavirus-under-review-in-dallas/2302808/ |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another patient was reported as a possible carrier in [[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]] on February&nbsp;5,<ref name="PUIBeaumont">{{#invoke:Cite news||last1=Taylor |first1=Brittany |title=Patient under investigation for possible coronavirus case in Beaumont, health official say |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2020/02/06/patient-under-investigation-for-coronavirus-in-beaumont-health-official-say/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-02-05 |location=Beaumont, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313004422/https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2020/02/06/patient-under-investigation-for-coronavirus-in-beaumont-health-official-say/ |archive-date=March 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> and six were being monitored in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]].<ref name="SixMonitoredAustin">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Vidal |first1=Gabriela |title=Austin-Travis Co. EMS says six being monitored for coronavirus after traveling to China |url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/austin-ems-says-six-people-being-monitored-for-coronavirus-after-traveling-to-china |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=CBS Austin |publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group |date=2020-02-08 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304133043/https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/austin-ems-says-six-people-being-monitored-for-coronavirus-after-traveling-to-china |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Some residents in San Antonio began 14-day [[self-quarantine]]s.<ref name="SanAntonioSelfQuarantineOwnHomes">{{#invoke:Cite news||title=Some San Antonio residents are in self-quarantine for Coronavirus in their own homes |url=https://www.fox7austin.com/news/some-san-antonio-residents-are-in-self-quarantine-for-coronavirus-in-their-own-homes |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=FOX7Austin.com |agency=KSAT |publisher=FOX Television Stations |date=2020-02-09 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310202712/https://www.fox7austin.com/news/some-san-antonio-residents-are-in-self-quarantine-for-coronavirus-in-their-own-homes |archive-date=March 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Local health departments, hospitals, and schools in Texas continued to revise their COVID-19 protocols through February.<ref name="DFWHospitalsCountiesPrepare">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Highberger |first1=Jack |title=DFW Hospitals, Counties Prepare for Coronavirus |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/dfw-hospitals-counties-prepare-for-coronavirus/2320807/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=NBCDFW.com |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-02-27 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310212622/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/dfw-hospitals-counties-prepare-for-coronavirus/2320807/ |archive-date=March 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HowSanAntonioPreparing">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Petrie |first1=Bonnie |title=How San Antonio Is Preparing For The Possible Spread Of The Coronavirus |url=https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/how-san-antonio-is-preparing-for-the-possible-spread-of-the-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Texas Standard |date=2020-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514014629/https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/how-san-antonio-is-preparing-for-the-possible-spread-of-the-coronavirus/ |archive-date=May 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CentralTexasSchoolDistrictsUpdate">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Moreno |first1=Chelsea |title=Central Texas school districts update families on preventing spread of COVID-19 |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/central-texas-school-districts-update-families-on-preventing-spread-of-covid-19/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-02-27 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321044203/https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/central-texas-school-districts-update-families-on-preventing-spread-of-covid-19/ |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AbileneWylieISD">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Chipp |first1=Timothy |title=Abilene ISD, Wylie ISD and other Big Country districts listening on coronavirus threat |url=https://www.reporternews.com/story/news/education/2020/02/27/coronavirus-threat-has-abilene-area-school-districts-attention/4894954002/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=Abilene Reporter News |publisher=ReporterNews.com |date=2020-02-27 |location=Abilene, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406111907/https://www.reporternews.com/story/news/education/2020/02/27/coronavirus-threat-has-abilene-area-school-districts-attention/4894954002/ |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Stocks of [[N95 mask]]s at clinics in [[Central Texas]] were low due to high demand as the pandemic escalated.<ref name="N95Impossible">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Ruiz |first1=Amanda |title=N95 face masks almost impossible to find in Central Texas due to coronavirus |url=https://www.fox7austin.com/news/n95-face-masks-almost-impossible-to-find-in-central-texas-due-to-coronavirus |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=FOX7Austin.com |publisher=FOX Television Stations |date=2020-02-27 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref>
=== Evacuee quarantines and cases ===
[[File:Lacklandafb-7jan1995.jpg|thumb|left|Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio served as a quarantine center for American nationals evacuated from China and the ''Diamond Princess'' cruise ship beginning on February&nbsp;7.|alt=Grayscale aerial view of Lackland AFB]]
As part of [[Evacuations related to the COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 evacuations]] of American nationals in China, the [[Texas Health and Human Services Commission]] (HHS) and [[U.S. Department of Defense]] agreed on February&nbsp;1 to house at least 250&nbsp;evacuees for up to a month at [[Lackland Air Force Base|Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland]] (JBSA-Lackland) near San Antonio as one of four reception centers across the country.<ref name="QuarantinedJBSALackland">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Christenson |first1=Sig |title=Americans evacuated from China to be quarantined at JBSA-Lackland |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Americans-evacuated-from-China-to-be-quarantined-15023051.php |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=San Antonio Express-News |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-02-02 |location=San Antonio, Texas}}</ref><ref name="MilitaryBaseApproved">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Texas Military Base 1 of 4 Approved to Quarantine Overseas Arrivals |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/texas-military-base-1-of-4-approved-to-quarantine-overseas-arrivals/2303235/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=NBCDFW.com |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-02-01 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329005917/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/texas-military-base-1-of-4-approved-to-quarantine-overseas-arrivals/2303235/ |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> JBSA–Lackland was chosen due to its large housing capacity, available space, and proximity to medical facilities in San Antonio.<ref name="StateHospitalBeginsTreatingLackland" /> The evacuees were flown to U.S. bases on chartered flights operated out by the [[U.S. Air Force]], with the first flight landing in San Antonio on February&nbsp;5.<ref name="CDCConfirms15th" /><ref name="CitizensBegin14DayQuarantine">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Tamplin |first1=Harley |title=Less than 100 American citizens evacuated from Wuhan, China begin their 14-day quarantine at San Antonio base |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/planes-from-wuhan-china-to-arrive-in-texas-amid-coronavirus-scare/ |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-02-07 |location=San Antonio, Texas |access-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310204144/https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/planes-from-wuhan-china-to-arrive-in-texas-amid-coronavirus-scare/ |archive-date=March 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February&nbsp;13, the CDC confirmed one of the individuals quarantined at JBSA-Lackland contracted COVID-19, representing the 15th confirmed case in the U.S.<ref name="CDCConfirms15th">{{cite press release|title=CDC Confirms 15th Case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) |url=https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0213-15th-coronavirus-case.html |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=2020-07-05 |date=2020-02-13}}</ref> They were among 91&nbsp;people on a flight arriving at JBSA–Lackland on February&nbsp;7.<ref name="FirstCaseIdentified">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fernández |first1=Stacy |title=First case of coronavirus identified in Texas; group returning from China quarantined in San Antonio |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/02/13/coronavirus-texas-case-confirmed-san-antonio-cdc-says/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=2020-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427164303/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/02/13/coronavirus-texas-case-confirmed-san-antonio-cdc-says/ |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> After an [[COVID-19 pandemic on Diamond Princess|outbreak of COVID-19]] impacted the ''[[Diamond Princess (ship)|Diamond Princess]]'' cruise ship in February, the [[U.S. State Department]] arranged for two charter flights to evacuate U.S. nationals to two U.S. locations, including JBSA–Lackland. Fourteen of the evacuees tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after being initially asymptomatic,<ref name="14of30Cruise">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Yamaguchi |first1=Mari |title=14 of 340 American cruise ship evacuees test positive for coronavirus; arrive in Texas, California overnight |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/02/17/14-of-340-american-cruise-ship-evacuees-test-positive-for-coronavirus-arrive-in-texas-california-overnight/ |access-date=2020-02-17 |publisher=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312232122/https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/02/17/14-of-340-american-cruise-ship-evacuees-test-positive-for-coronavirus-arrive-in-texas-california-overnight/ |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> of which seven landed in JBSA–Lackland before being transferred to the [[University of Nebraska Medical Center]] in [[Omaha, Nebraska]].<ref name="7of14AmericansLandedSanAntonio">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=7 of 14 Americans with coronavirus landed at San Antonio base |url=https://abc13.com/china-coronavirus-symptoms-corona-transmission/5938743/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=ABC13.com |publisher=ABC |date=2020-02-17 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414034255/https://abc13.com/china-coronavirus-symptoms-corona-transmission/5938743/ |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February&nbsp;21, the CDC announced that another two individuals tested positive for the virus among ''Diamond Princess'' evacuees quarantined at JBSA–Lackland, bringing the San Antonio and statewide case total to three.<ref name="HealthOfficialsConfirmTwoMoreBexar">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Health Officials Confirm Two More COVID-19 Infections In Bexar County |url=https://www.tpr.org/post/health-officials-confirm-two-more-covid-19-infections-bexar-county |work=Texas Public Radio |date=2020-02-20}}</ref><ref name="CoronavirusCasesGrow3">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=San Antonio coronavirus cases grow to 3, as pair of cruise ship passengers tests positive |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Texas-coronavirus-cruise-ship-passengers-15074483.php |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-02-21 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410203856/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Texas-coronavirus-cruise-ship-passengers-15074483.php |archive-date=April 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> By February&nbsp;24, the case total in Texas rose to six, all of whom were quarantined at JBSA–Lackland;<ref name="SixTotalCoronavirus">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=CDC: Six total coronavirus cases confirmed in San Antonio quarantine |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/cdc-six-coronavirus-cases-confirmed-in-san-antonio/273-f83e4fb3-e2df-42a5-9061-280c39d0d8e5 |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=KENS 5 |publisher=KENS-TV |date=2020-02-28 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305103253/https://www.kens5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/cdc-six-coronavirus-cases-confirmed-in-san-antonio/273-f83e4fb3-e2df-42a5-9061-280c39d0d8e5 |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> a total of 11&nbsp;people at the base were later confirmed as infected, with 9 from the cruise ship and 2 from Wuhan.<ref name="11CasesSA">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Sabawi |first1=Fares |last2=Salinas |first2=Rebecca |last3=Patton |first3=Mary Claire |last4=Ibañez |first4=David |last5=King |first5=Cody |title=11 cases of coronavirus confirmed in San Antonio |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2020/02/29/11-cases-of-coronavirus-confirmed-in-san-antonio/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-02-28 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604231647/https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2020/02/29/11-cases-of-coronavirus-confirmed-in-san-antonio/ |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Evacuees quarantining at JBSA–Lackland were sent to the Texas Center for Infectious Disease in San Antonio, with 22&nbsp;beds at the hospital reserved for suspected COVID-19 patients and those presenting with "mild symptoms." By February&nbsp;19, JBSA–Lackland was supporting the quarantines of 234&nbsp;people, with 144 from the ''Diamond Princess'' cruise ship and 91 from Hubei Province. [[Nelson Wolff]], the [[Bexar County]] Judge, criticized the movement of evacuees to hospitals before definitive diagnoses in a letter sent to U.S. Representative [[Chip Roy]]. Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert also criticized the decision to move patients out of JBSA–Lackland, stating that the move created "additional vectors for the virus to spread into the civilian population."<ref name="StateHospitalBeginsTreatingLackland">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Caruba |first1=Lauren |title=State hospital in San Antonio begins treating coronavirus evacuees from Lackland |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/State-hospital-in-San-Antonio-begins-treating-15068830.php |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=San Antonio Express-News |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-02-19 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611142906/https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/State-hospital-in-San-Antonio-begins-treating-15068830.php |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February&nbsp;20, the evacuees from Hubei Province at the base were released after showing no symptoms for 14&nbsp;days.<ref name="Ends90Evacuees">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Petrie |first1=Bonnie |last2=Kirkpatrick |first2=Brian |title=Coronavirus quarantine in San Antonio ends for 90 evacuees from China |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/02/20/coronavirus-quarantine-san-antonio/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |agency=Texas Public Radio |date=2020-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326032306/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/02/20/coronavirus-quarantine-san-antonio/ |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite two earlier negative tests for the virus, one person had a "weakly positive" test after their release from JBSA–Lackland and were moved back to the facility for quarantine on March&nbsp;1 following 12&nbsp;hours out of quarantine. Texas Governor [[Greg Abbott]], San Antonio mayor [[Ron Nirenberg]] and U.S. Representative [[Joaquin Castro]] criticized the CDC's release of the patient; Castro asked the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] to investigate CDC patient treatment protocols, with similar requests from U.S. Senators [[John Cornyn]] and [[Ted Cruz]] and U.S. Representative [[Lloyd Doggett]].<ref name="PatientWeaklyPositive">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Formby |first1=Brandon |title=Patient with "weakly positive" test for coronavirus was released for a time in San Antonio |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/01/san-antonio-coronavirus-patient-was-released-after-weakly-positive-tes/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=2020-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605015800/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/01/san-antonio-coronavirus-patient-was-released-after-weakly-positive-tes/ |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PatientReleaseUnacceptableAbbott">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Roth |first1=Brian |title=Texas Coronavirus Patient's Release 'Unacceptable': Gov. Greg Abbott Says |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/texas-coronavirus-patients-release-unacceptable-abbott-says/2322605/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=NBCDFW.com |date=2020-03-02 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330131209/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/texas-coronavirus-patients-release-unacceptable-abbott-says/2322605/ |archive-date=March 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CongressmenSenatorsInvestigationCDC">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Moreno |first1=Julie |title=Texas congressmen, senators call for investigation into CDC coronavirus patient release protocols |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/03/03/texas-congressmen-senators-call-for-investigation-into-cdc-coronavirus-patient-release-protocols/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KSAT.com |date=2020-03-03 |location=San Antonio, Texas}}</ref> The release prompted Nirenberg to declare a public health emergency for San Antonio on March&nbsp;2.<ref name="SADeclaresEmergency">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Feuer |first1=Will |title=San Antonio declares emergency after CDC released a woman infected with coronavirus: 'Totally unacceptable' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/02/cdc-released-a-woman-in-texas-who-tested-positive-for-the-coronavirus-totally-unacceptable.html |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=CNBC |date=2020-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608225852/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/02/cdc-released-a-woman-in-texas-who-tested-positive-for-the-coronavirus-totally-unacceptable.html |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> A federal judge denied an [[injunction]] filed by the city of San Antonio against the CDC "demanding more rigorous testing" before releasing asymptomatic individuals at JBSA–Lackland.<ref name="EvacueesToBeReleased">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Andu |first1=Naomi |title=Coronavirus evacuees to be released from San Antonio quarantine Tuesday |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/03/san-antonio-coronavirus-evacuees-be-released-quarantine-tuesday/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=2020-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623003624/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/03/san-antonio-coronavirus-evacuees-be-released-quarantine-tuesday/ |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The CDC modified their quarantine protocol in the aftermath of the incident to require "two sequential negative tests within 24&nbsp;hours" prior to releasing quarantined individuals.<ref name="OfficialsDemandsCDCModifies">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Weinberg |first1=Tessa |title=After Texas officials' demands, CDC modifies protocols for coronavirus testing, releases |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article240845916.html |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=2020-03-03 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304085904/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article240845916.html |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Timeline==
{{COVID-19 pandemic data/United States/Texas medical cases chart|float=right}}
=== Early origins ===
The initial origin of community spread in Texas remains unclear, but numerous anecdotal accounts by those later confirmed have included onset dates as early as December 28 in [[Point Venture, Texas|Point Venture]], and retrospective analyses have found unexplained statistical increases in deaths during this time.<ref name='DeathDataSuggestUndercountPossible'/><ref name="Maciborski 2020-07-09">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last=Maciborski |first=Walt |url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/former-ut-football-player-believes-he-had-covid-19-in-january |title=Former UT football player believes he had COVID-19 in January |work=CBS Austin |date=2020-07-09 |access-date=2020-07-21 }}</ref><ref name='BastropJudgeContracted'/> Testing capacity across the state remained extremely limited until after the first recorded cases were announced.<ref name='DeathDataSuggestUndercountPossible'/>
=== March 2020 ===
[[File:MS River Anuket R01.jpg|thumb|The first confirmed cases in Texas were associated with travelers on board the ''M.S. A'sara'' river cruise ship in Egypt|alt=Photograph of the cruise ship]]
'''March&nbsp;2''': Research from [[Austin Public Health]] found 68&nbsp;COVID-19 patients in Central Texas began reporting symptoms dating back to this time.<ref name="HereBeforeWeKnewItAustin">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Plohetski |first1=Tony |title=Coronavirus was here before we knew it, Austin officials conclude |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200516/coronavirus-was-here-before-we-knew-it-austin-officials-conclude |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-05-16 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607230308/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200516/coronavirus-was-here-before-we-knew-it-austin-officials-conclude |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> San Antonio Mayor Nirenberg issues a public health emergency after an individual positive for the virus is mistakenly released from quarantine at JBSA–Lackland.<ref name="SADeclaresEmergency" />
'''March&nbsp;4''': The DSHS reports a presumptive positive test result for COVID-19 from a resident of [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort Bend County]] in the Houston area. A man in his 70s, he is the first known positive case of the disease in Texas outside of those evacuated from Wuhan and the ''Diamond Princess'' cruise ship.<ref name="DSHSAnnoucesFirstCase" /> The patient had recently [[COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt|traveled to Egypt]] and was hospitalized.<ref name="TexasManFortBendCounty">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Walters |first1=Edgar |title=Texas man tests positive for coronavirus in Fort Bend County |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/04/texas-coronavirus-case-confirmed-fort-bend-county/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701011746/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/04/texas-coronavirus-case-confirmed-fort-bend-county/ |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> DSHS commissioner John Hellerstedt calls the confirmation a "significant development" but that "the immediate risk to most Texans is low."<ref name="DSHSAnnoucesFirstCase">{{cite press release |title=DSHS Announces First Case of COVID-19 in Texas |url=https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2020/20200304.aspx |publisher=Texas Department of State Health Services |access-date=2020-07-05 |date=2020-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602181106/https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2020/20200304.aspx |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;5''': At least eight cumulative cases, including both positive and presumptive positive cases, are identified in the Houston area. The cases involve individuals in the counties of Fort Bend and [[Harris County, Texas|Harris]] counties. All individuals with confirmed cases were part of a group that traveled to Egypt in February, including the first confirmed case in Fort Bend County. The travel group rode aboard the [[Nile River]] cruise ship ''[[MS River Anuket|MS A’sara]]''.<ref name="HoustonAreaEightCases">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Samuels |first1=Alex |last2=Najmabadi |first2=Shannon |title=Houston area has eight cases of coronavirus, all within a group of people who traveled overseas together |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/3-houston-area-people-who-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-recently-traveled-to-egypt/285-3af9f1f4-0dff-4caf-9ec3-42b74e3a5207 |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Houston Chronicle |date=2020-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321054101/https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/3-houston-area-people-who-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-recently-traveled-to-egypt/285-3af9f1f4-0dff-4caf-9ec3-42b74e3a5207 |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HoustonAreaPatientsEgypt">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Houston-area coronavirus patients traveled together to Egypt last month |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/3-houston-area-people-who-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-recently-traveled-to-egypt/285-3af9f1f4-0dff-4caf-9ec3-42b74e3a5207 |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KHOU |publisher=KHOU-TX |date=2020-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321054101/https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/3-houston-area-people-who-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-recently-traveled-to-egypt/285-3af9f1f4-0dff-4caf-9ec3-42b74e3a5207 |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NewPresumptive12Houston" /> Additional individuals are also investigated as possible carriers in the Houston area in connection with the Egypt trip.<ref name="NewPresumptive12Houston">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Kamath |first1=Tulsi |last2=Barker |first2=Aaron |title=New presumptive positive coronavirus case reported in Harris County, bringing total to 12 cases in Houston area |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/03/06/harris-fort-bend-county-coronavirus-patients-all-contracted-virus-on-trip-to-egypt-together-officials-say/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KSAT.com |date=2020-03-05 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621145126/https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/03/06/harris-fort-bend-county-coronavirus-patients-all-contracted-virus-on-trip-to-egypt-together-officials-say/ |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The state announces six public health laboratories within its Laboratory Response Network are capable of testing for COVID-19.<ref name="AbbottDSHSAnnounceTesting">{{cite press release |title=Governor Abbott, DSHS Announce Statewide Testing Capabilities For Coronavirus |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-dshs-announce-statewide-testing-capabilities-for-coronavirus |publisher=Office of the Texas Governor |access-date=2020-07-07 |location=Austin, Texas |date=2020-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519232816/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-dshs-announce-statewide-testing-capabilities-for-coronavirus |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;6''': Mayor [[Steve Adler (politician)|Steve Adler]] of Austin declares a local disaster and cancels [[South by Southwest]] for the first time in its history.<ref name="PromptAustinCancelSXSW">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Andu |first1=Naomi |title=Coronavirus concerns prompt Austin officials to cancel SXSW |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/06/sxsw-texas-coronavirus-fears/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702072136/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/06/sxsw-texas-coronavirus-fears/ |archive-date=July 2, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;8''': JBSA–Lackland receives around 100&nbsp;evacuees from the cruise ship ''[[Grand Princess (ship)|Grand Princess]]'' following a localized outbreak on board.<ref name="MoreThan100CruiseSA">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Pollock |first1=Cassandra |title=More than 100 cruise ship passengers heading to San Antonio for coronavirus quarantine |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/08/coronavirus-texas-more-cruise-ship-passengers-quarantined-san-antonio/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614210923/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/08/coronavirus-texas-more-cruise-ship-passengers-quarantined-san-antonio/ |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="EvacueesHeaded21Infected">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Evacuees headed to Texas after being onboard a cruise ship with 21 coronavirus-infected guests |url=https://abc13.com/grand-princess-guests-in-texas-people-from-cruise-coming-to-coronavirus/5995583/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=ABC13.com |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ABC |date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418113825/https://abc13.com/grand-princess-guests-in-texas-people-from-cruise-coming-to-coronavirus/5995583/ |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rice University]] becomes the first university in the state to enact significant cancellations, suspending in-person classes and undergraduate labs during the week in response to an employee testing positive in connection with the viral cluster that traveled to Egypt.<ref name="RiceCancelingInPerson">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Allen |first1=Rebekah |title=Rice University canceling in-person classes after employee tested positive for novel coronavirus |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/08/new-coronavirus-prompts-texas-rice-university-cancel-person-classes/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315072347/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/08/new-coronavirus-prompts-texas-rice-university-cancel-person-classes/ |archive-date=March 15, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;9''': The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Texas reported by the DSHS surpasses 10.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=Texas Case Counts: COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease 2019 |url=https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/cases.aspx |via=ArcGIS |publisher=Texas Department of State Health Services |access-date=2020-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701011109/https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/cases.aspx |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> A resident in his 30s of [[Frisco, Texas|Frisco]] in [[Collin County, Texas|Collin County]], a suburb of Dallas, receives a presumptive positive test for the virus after recently traveling to [[Silicon Valley]] in California; he is the first case identified in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area.<ref name="PresumptivePositiveFirstCaseDFW">{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Ramirez|first1=Domingo Jr.|last2=Weinberg|first2=Tessa|title=Man tests 'presumptive positive' for coronavirus in first case in Dallas–Fort Worth|url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article240845441.html|access-date=2020-07-06|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|date=2020-03-09|location=Fort Worth, Texas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601063553/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article240845441.html|archive-date=June 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CollinCountyFirst">{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Branham|first1=Dana|last2=Scudder|first2=Charles|last3=Steele|first3=Tom|title=Collin County reports first 'presumptive positive' case of new coronavirus|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/09/collin-county-reports-first-presumptive-positive-case-of-new-coronavirus/|access-date=2020-07-06|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=2020-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608180809/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/09/collin-county-reports-first-presumptive-positive-case-of-new-coronavirus/|archive-date=June 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="FriscoManPresumptive">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Escobedo |first1=Jozelyn |title=Frisco man tests 'presumptive positive' for COVID-19, Collin County health officials say |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/collin-county-resident-tests-presumptive-positive-for-covid-19-county-health-officials-say/287-418b3883-c570-4a3d-b15e-22768be2fe86 |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=WFAA |publisher=WFAA-TV |date=2020-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310202824/https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/collin-county-resident-tests-presumptive-positive-for-covid-19-county-health-officials-say/287-418b3883-c570-4a3d-b15e-22768be2fe86 |archive-date=March 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> His wife and 3-year-old child later contracted the disease, with the latter among the youngest confirmed to have the virus in the U.S.<ref name="NewCasesCollinMontgomeryCounty">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Samuels |first1=Alex |last2=Andu |first2=Naomi |title=New Texas coronavirus cases include Collin County child and a Montgomery County man whose travel is being investigated |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/10/frisco-texas-man-spreads-coronavirus-wife-and-child/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426042710/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/10/frisco-texas-man-spreads-coronavirus-wife-and-child/ |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;10''': The first two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 are reported in Dallas County, composed of a 77-year-old frequent traveler and a close contact.<ref name="SecondCaseDallasCounty">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Sweat |first1=Candace |title=Second Case of Coronavirus Reported in Dallas County |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/first-case-of-coronavirus-reported-in-dallas-county/2327871/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=NBCDFW.com |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327171715/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/first-case-of-coronavirus-reported-in-dallas-county/2327871/ |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Tarrant County, Texas|Tarrant County]] also reports its first presumptive positive case, involving a recent traveler to a conference in [[Kentucky]] in late February.<ref name="TarrantCountyFirst">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Keomoungkhoun |first1=Nataly |title=Tarrant County reports first presumptive positive case of coronavirus |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/10/tarrant-county-reports-first-presumptive-positive-case-of-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523225634/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/10/tarrant-county-reports-first-presumptive-positive-case-of-coronavirus/ |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott and the [[Texas Department of Insurance]] request health insurers and [[health maintenance organization]]s (HMOs) to waive COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment costs.<ref name="AbbottTDIAskhealthInsurance">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=Governor Abbott, TDI Ask Health Insurance Providers To Waive Costs Associated With Coronavirus |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-tdi-ask-health-insurance-providers-to-waive-costs-associated-with-coronavirus |publisher=Office of the Texas Governor |access-date=2020-07-07 |location=Austin, Texas |date=2020-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603184812/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-tdi-ask-health-insurance-providers-to-waive-costs-associated-with-coronavirus |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GovernorAsksHealthInsurance">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Hernandez |first1=Syndey |title=Texas Governor asks health insurance companies to waive coronavirus costs |url=https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/texas-governor-asks-health-insurance-companies-to-waive-coronavirus-costs/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=ValleyCentral.com |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-03-11}}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;11''': Local health officials report a positive test for COVID-19 in [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery County]]; they are identified as the first possible case of [[transmission (medicine)#Definition and related terms|community spread]]—not directly related to travel or known contact with positive travelers—in Texas and in the Houston area. The patient's attendance of a barbecue at the [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]] on February&nbsp;28 is reported as a possible but unconfirmed source of the virus.<ref name="TexasFirstCommunitySpread">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Walters |first1=Edgar |last2=Sparber |first2=Sami |title=Texas' first case of possible community spread of coronavirus highlights lack of testing |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/11/coronavirus-texas-community-spread-may-be-montgomery-county/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531060143/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/11/coronavirus-texas-community-spread-may-be-montgomery-county/ |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city of Houston orders the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to close after announcing an emergency health declaration.<ref name="HoustonHealthDeclarationRodeo">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Houston officials announce emergency health declaration, closes Houston Rodeo |url=https://www.kcbd.com/2020/03/11/houston-officials-announce-emergency-health-declaration-closes-houston-rodeo/ |access-date=2020-03-11 |work=KCBD |date=2020-03-11 |location=Lubbock, Texas}}</ref> [[Lakewood Church]] suspends public services within the church and moves its services online.<ref name="LakewoodChurchCancels">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=McCord |first1=Cory |title=Lakewood Church cancels in-person services due to coronavirus concerns |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/lakewood-church-cancels-services-indefinitely-due-to-coronavirus-concerns/285-0c989a92-756b-4876-841d-d75b0d3828dc |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KHOU |publisher=KHOU-TV |date=2020-03-11 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315091345/https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/lakewood-church-cancels-services-indefinitely-due-to-coronavirus-concerns/285-0c989a92-756b-4876-841d-d75b0d3828dc |archive-date=March 15, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Montgomery Independent School District]] in the Houston area and [[Alvarado Independent School District]] in the Dallas area become the first two public school districts in Texas to temporarily close classes over COVID-19, affecting approximately 12,400&nbsp;students across 17&nbsp;schools.<ref name="TwoPSDHaltClasses">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Swaby |first1=Aliyya |title=Two Texas public school districts halt classes over possible coronavirus risks |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/11/two-texas-public-school-districts-close-due-possible-coronavirus-risks/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601122059/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/11/two-texas-public-school-districts-close-due-possible-coronavirus-risks/ |archive-date=June 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;12''': After traveling to [[Barcelona]] and [[Paris]] between March&nbsp;4–10, a 29-year-old-man becomes the first reported case of COVID-19 in [[Bell County, Texas|Bell County]].<ref name="BellCountySecondPresumptive">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Flores |first1=Rebecca |title=Bell County confirms second presumptive positive case of coronavirus |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/bell-county-texas-coronavirus-case/269-ec1c47bf-c15c-4274-9311-7a1f28043766 |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KVUE |date=2020-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321073209/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/bell-county-texas-coronavirus-case/269-ec1c47bf-c15c-4274-9311-7a1f28043766 |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Five people test positive for the virus in Dallas County, with one without recent travel history; the individual is the first case of community spread in [[North Texas]], prompting a local disaster declaration for Dallas County.<ref name="DallasCountyCommuitySpread">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Ura |first1=Alexa |title=Dallas County officials say community spread of coronavirus has occurred in North Texas |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/12/covid-19-community-spread-arrives-dallas-county/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-12}}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;13''': San Antonio reports its first positive case of COVID-19 with an individual not associated with the quarantining evacuees at JBSA–Lackland. Mayor Nirenberg declares a public health emergency and limits gatherings of more than 500&nbsp;people for one week.<ref name="FirstCoronavirusCaseConfirmedSA">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Public health emergency declared after first coronavirus case confirmed in SA; limits imposed on large gatherings |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/first-case-of-coronavirus-in-san-antonio-confirmed-outside-of-lackland-quarantine/273-dd5a7ac7-fc45-418e-aa57-d218cc1bcc4b |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KENS 5 |date=2020-03-13 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430071254/https://www.kens5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/first-case-of-coronavirus-in-san-antonio-confirmed-outside-of-lackland-quarantine/273-dd5a7ac7-fc45-418e-aa57-d218cc1bcc4b |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first three cases of COVID-19 are also identified in the Austin area. University of Texas President [[Gregory L. Fenves]] announces that his wife is among the positive cases following a trip to New York City for a university function with alumni and students.<ref name="3CasesConfirmedAustin">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Wilson |first1=Wes |title=3 coronavirus cases confirmed in Austin |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/breaking-news-two-presumptive-positive-cases-of-covid-19-confirmed-in-the-austin-travis-county-area-austin-public-health/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Brodacsting |date=2020-03-13 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403033850/https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/breaking-news-two-presumptive-positive-cases-of-covid-19-confirmed-in-the-austin-travis-county-area-austin-public-health/ |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="FenvesNegativeWifePositive">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=UT president Greg Fenves tests negative for COVID-19 after wife tests positive |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/ut-president-greg-fenves-announced-his-wife-has-tested-positive-for-the-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-03-13 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412124117/https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/ut-president-greg-fenves-announced-his-wife-has-tested-positive-for-the-coronavirus/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> A man in his 40s with recent domestic travel is identified as the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the [[El Paso]] area.<ref name="FirstPresumptivePositiveElPaso">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Dearman |first1=Eleanor |last2=Montes |first2=Aaron |title=First presumptive positive case of coronavirus reported in El Paso area |url=https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2020/03/13/first-positive-case-coronavirus-covid-19-reported-el-paso/5048557002/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=El Paso Times |date=2020-03-13 |location=El Paso, Texas}}</ref> Abbott declares a state of disaster for all counties in Texas, invoking emergency powers for his administration, and orders state employees to [[remote work]]. Day cares, nursing homes, and prisons are asked to limit visitations.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Governor Abbott Holds Press Conference On Coronavirus, Declares State Of Disaster For All Texas Counties |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-holds-press-conference-on-coronavirus-declares-state-of-disaster-for-all-texas-counties |publisher=Office of the Texas Governor |access-date=2020-07-07 |location=Austin, Texas |date=2020-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606210612/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-holds-press-conference-on-coronavirus-declares-state-of-disaster-for-all-texas-counties |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TexasGovernorDeclaresEmergency">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Walters |first1=Edgar |title=Texas governor declares statewide emergency, says state will soon be able to test thousands |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/13/texas-coronavirus-cases-state-emergency-greg-abbott/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313233135/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/13/texas-coronavirus-cases-state-emergency-greg-abbott/ |archive-date=March 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The state's first mobile testing center for COVID-19 opens in San Antonio.<ref name="TexasGetsDriveThrough">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Sparber |first1=Sami |last2=Justin |first2=Raga |title=Texas gets drive-through coronavirus testing in San Antonio, but it's not open to the general public |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/13/drive-through-coronavirus-testing-comes-san-antonio-texas/ |access-date=2020-03-13 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424042746/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/13/drive-through-coronavirus-testing-comes-san-antonio-texas/ |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Colleges and universities throughout the state extend their [[spring break]]s with some transitioning to online instruction, including [[Baylor University]], the [[University of Houston]], the [[University of North Texas]], the University of Texas at Austin, [[Texas State University]], and Texas Tech University.<ref name="PromptsTexasUniversitiesExtendOnline">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Najmabadi |first1=Shannon |last2=Andu |first2=Naomi |title=Coronavirus prompts Texas universities to extend spring break, move classes online |url=https://www.valleymorningstar.com/2020/03/13/coronavirus-prompts-texas-universities-extend-spring-break-move-classes-online/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Valley Morning Star |location=Harlingen, Texas}}</ref> School districts also announce temporary suspensions of classes statewide.<ref name="EastTexasCancelClasses">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=East Texas public school districts cancel classes |url=https://tylerpaper.com/lifestyle/health/east-texas-public-school-districts-cancel-classes/article_8218c85a-656e-11ea-80b6-dfed19e38450.html |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Tyler Morning Telegraph |publisher=Tylerpaper.com |date=2020-03-13 |location=Tyler, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318003300/https://tylerpaper.com/lifestyle/health/east-texas-public-school-districts-cancel-classes/article_8218c85a-656e-11ea-80b6-dfed19e38450.html |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WestTexasISDsPostponing">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=UPDATES: West Texas ISDs postponing start of classes for students following Spring Break |url=https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/updates-west-texas-isds-postponing-start-of-classes-for-students-following-spring-break/504-d79151f8-2ee4-4427-bf62-9fffd9f7eb2f |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=FOX West Texas |publisher=KIDY-TV |date=2020-03-13}}</ref><ref name="SchoolClosuresNorthTexas">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=LIST: School Closures In North Texas Due To Coronavirus Outbreak |url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/03/13/list-school-closures-north-texas-coronavirus-outbreak/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=CBSDFW.com |publisher=CBS Broadcasting |date=2020-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314135402/https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/03/13/list-school-closures-north-texas-coronavirus-outbreak/ |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;14''': Between March&nbsp;14–19, some students from the [[University of Texas at Austin]] take a trip to [[Cabo San Lucas, Mexico]], for [[spring break]]; on March&nbsp;27, a student has a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 after returning from Cabo San Lucas. A [[contact tracing]] investigation conducted by the COVID-19 Center at the University of Texas Health Austin concludes on April&nbsp;5, with viral tests on 231&nbsp;students. Among the sample, 60 of the 183 travelers to Cabo San Lucas test positive for the virus.<ref name="Lewis et al.">{{#invoke:Cite journal||last1=Lewis |first1=Megan |last2=Sanchez |first2=Ruth |last3=Auerbach |first3=Sarah |last4=Nam |first4=Dolly |last5=Lanier |first5=Brennan |last6=Taylor |first6=Jeffrey |last7=Jaso |first7=Cynthia |last8=Nolan |first8=Kate |last9=Jacobs |first9=Elizabeth A. |last10=Hudson |first10=F. Parker |last11=Bhavani |first11=Darlene |title=COVID-19 Outbreak Among College Students After a Spring Break Trip to Mexico — Austin, Texas, March 26–April 5, 2020 |journal=MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report |date=3 July 2020 |volume=69 |issue=26 |pages=830–835 |doi=10.15585/mmwr.mm6926e1 |doi-access=free |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6926e1-H.pdf |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |pmid=32614814 |pmc=7332093 |access-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704021646/https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6926e1-H.pdf |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott directs the [[Texas Medical Board]] and Texas Board of Nursing to expedite temporary licensing for out-of-state medical professionals while the state remains in a state of disaster.<ref name="AbbottFastTracks">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=Governor Abbott Fast-Tracks Licensing For Out-Of-State Medical Professionals |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-fast-tracks-licensing-for-out-of-state-medical-professionals |publisher=Office of the Texas Governor |access-date=2020-07-07 |location=Austin, Texas |date=2020-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610055008/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-fast-tracks-licensing-for-out-of-state-medical-professionals |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;15''': [[Texas Health and Human Services]] issues guidelines for nursing facilities outlining procedures for COVID-19 screening and restricting personnel and visitors at 1,222&nbsp;nursing facilities in the state.<ref name="HHSRestrictsNursingFacility">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Moreno |first1=Chelsea |title=Texas HHS restricts nursing facility visits to protect vulnerable populations from coronavirus |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/texas-hhs-restricts-nursing-facility-visits-to-protect-vulnerable-populations-from-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404143316/https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/texas-hhs-restricts-nursing-facility-visits-to-protect-vulnerable-populations-from-coronavirus/ |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;16''': A 40-year-old elementary school teacher is identified as presumptive positive for SARS-CoV-2, becoming the first case of the virus in [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]]. The patient had no history of travel to affected areas.<ref name="ElementarySchoolFirstLaredo">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Tracy |first1=Gerald |title=Elementary school teacher confirmed as first case of coronavirus in Laredo |url=https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/first-coronavirus-case-confirmed-in-laredo-believed-to-be-community-spread |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=News4SA |publisher=News4SanAntonio.com |date=2020-03-16 |location=Laredo, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182922/https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/first-coronavirus-case-confirmed-in-laredo-believed-to-be-community-spread |archive-date=March 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott waives requirements for the [[State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness]] (STAAR)—standardized tests typically administered in Texas schools.<ref name="STAARWaived">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Swaby |first1=Aliyya |title=Texas STAAR test requirements waived due to coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/16/texas-staar-test-requirements-waived-due-coronavirus-outbreak/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421030149/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/16/texas-staar-test-requirements-waived-due-coronavirus-outbreak/ |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Parts of the [[Texas Open Meetings Act]], which increases transparency for government meetings, are suspended to allow for telephone and video conferences.<ref name="AbbottSuspendsOpenMeetings">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Jankowski |first1=Philip |title=Abbott suspends Open Meetings Act over coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200316/abbott-suspends-open-meetings-act-over-coronavirus-pandemic |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-03-16 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610205814/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200316/abbott-suspends-open-meetings-act-over-coronavirus-pandemic |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The mayors of Dallas and Houston order the closure of various social establishments for at least a week; restaurants in Dallas and Harris Counties are limited to [[drive-through]] service.<ref name="PromptsDallasCloseBarsClubs">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fernández |first1=Stacy |last2=Sparber |first2=Sami |title=Coronavirus prompts Dallas and Houston to close bars and clubs, make restaurants takeout only |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/16/coronavirus-prompts-dallas-close-bars-lounges-and-movie-theaters/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628162941/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/16/coronavirus-prompts-dallas-close-bars-lounges-and-movie-theaters/ |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> San Antonio Mayor Nirenberg reduces the social gathering cap to 50&nbsp;people.<ref name="SAConfirmsFourthMayorRestricts">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fechter |first1=Joshua |title=San Antonio confirms fourth COVID-19 case while mayor restricts gatherings to 50, says 10 is better |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/To-slow-coronavirus-spread-San-Antonio-will-15134478.php |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=San Antonio Express-News |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-03-16 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331083700/https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/To-slow-coronavirus-spread-San-Antonio-will-15134478.php |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Panic buying in Texas in response to the coronavirus pandemic.jpg|thumb|upright|Empty shelves from [[panic buying]] at the [[Sams Club]] in [[Lufkin, Texas|Lufkin]] on March 13, 2020|alt=Empty shelves at a store]]
'''March&nbsp;17''': DSHS reports that a man in his 90s in [[Matagorda County, Texas|Matagorda County]] died of COVID-19 after being hospitalized, becoming the first official COVID-19 fatality in Texas.<ref name="DSHSTexasConfirmsFirstDeath">{{cite press release |title=Texas Confirms First Death in COVID-19 Patient |url=https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/2020/20200317.aspx |publisher=Texas Department of State Health Services |access-date=2020-07-06 |date=2020-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508145233/https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/2020/20200317.aspx |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two unrelated travelers are identified as the first two positive confirmations of COVID-19 in [[Lubbock, Texas|Lubbock]]; neither were hospitalized but self-quarantined at home.<ref name="Lubbock2Positive">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=City of Lubbock confirms 2 positive cases of COVID-19 |url=https://www.kcbd.com/2020/03/17/lubbock-has-first-confirmed-case-covid-/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KBCD |date=2020-03-17 |location=Lubbock, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331122907/https://www.kcbd.com/2020/03/17/lubbock-has-first-confirmed-case-covid-/ |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Brazos County Health District confirms the first case of COVID-19, a woman in her 20s, in [[Brazos County, Texas|Brazos County]].<ref name="BrazosCountyFirstPositive">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fernandez |first1=Erika |title=Brazos County Health District confirms first positive COVID-19 case |url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Brazos-County-Health-District-confirms-first-positive-COVD-19-case-568860231.html |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KBTX-TV |publisher=Gray Television |date=2020-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326022658/https://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Brazos-County-Health-District-confirms-first-positive-COVD-19-case-568860231.html |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Texas National Guard]] is activated, making Texas the 21st U.S. state to activate their National Guard; the security force is not yet deployed.<ref name="CoronavirusThreatNationalGuard">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Christenson |first1=Sig |title=Coronavirus threat prompts Abbott to activate Texas National Guard |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Coronavirus-threat-prompts-Abbott-to-activates-15137943.php |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=2020-03-17 |location=San Antonio, Texas}}</ref> Abbott grants waivers to hospitals to bolster unused bed capacity without applying or paying added fees.<ref name="ActivateNatGuardGrantsWaiver">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Gov. Abbott Activates National Guard; Grants Waiver to Add Hospital Bed Capacity |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/gov-abbott-activates-national-guard-grants-waiver-to-add-hospital-bed-capacity/2332781/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=NBCDFW.com |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602192122/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/gov-abbott-activates-national-guard-grants-waiver-to-add-hospital-bed-capacity/2332781/ |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott also asks the [[Small Business Administration]] to declare an Economic Injury Disaster Declaration for the state;<ref name="AbbottRequestsSBA">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Douglas |first1=Erin |title=Abbott requests emergency designation to obtain disaster loans for small businesses |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/bizfeed/article/Abbott-requests-emergency-designation-to-obtain-15138526.php |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-03-17 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318173237/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/bizfeed/article/Abbott-requests-emergency-designation-to-obtain-15138526.php |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> eligibility is granted three days later.<ref name="SmallBizCanApplyEmergencyLoans">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Ferman |first1=Mitchell |title=Small businesses in Texas can apply for emergency federal loans to help ride out coronavirus pandemic, Abbott announces |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/20/texas-businesses-apply-small-business-administration-loans-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605153355/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/20/texas-businesses-apply-small-business-administration-loans-coronavirus/ |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Texas-chartered banks restrict indoor access. Austin and El Paso close their bars, with Austin also closing its restaurants.<ref name="COVIDinTexas3-17">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 3/17: Feds consider sending people economic stimulus checks; state has more than 70 known cases |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/17/coronavirus-updates-texas-austin-leaders-bar-restaurant-closures/ |access-date=2020-03-17 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511072236/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/17/coronavirus-updates-texas-austin-leaders-bar-restaurant-closures/ |archive-date=May 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;18''': [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]] and [[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]] confirm their first positive COVID-19 cases, with Amarillo reporting two and Beaumont reporting one.<ref name="BeaumontFirst">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Bain |first1=Kaitlin |last2=Dick |first2=Jacob |title=Beaumont confirms first coronavirus case |url=https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Beaumont-confirms-first-coronavirus-case-15141035.php |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Beaumont Enterprise  |date=2020-03-18 |location=Beaumont, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326004015/https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Beaumont-confirms-first-coronavirus-case-15141035.php |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AmarilloFrist2">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Gay |first1=David |title=Amarillo announces first 2 coronavirus cases |url=https://www.amarillo.com/news/20200318/amarillo-announces-first-2-coronavirus-cases |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Amarillo Globe-News  |date=2020-03-18 |location=Amarillo, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321204505/https://www.amarillo.com/news/20200318/amarillo-announces-first-2-coronavirus-cases |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Waco–McLennan County Health District announces the first six cases in [[McLennan County, Texas|McLennan County]]; five of the cases are identified as recent travelers.<ref name="WacoMcLennanSixCOVID">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Hice |first1=Jim |title=Waco-McLennan County Health District confirms six COVID-19 cases |url=https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/mclennan-co-public-health-district-updates-status-of-coronavirus-in-emergency-press-conference/500-58a7ac59-69cd-4860-aae7-1ef054d481be |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KCEN |date=2020-03-18 |location=Waco, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319212827/https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/mclennan-co-public-health-district-updates-status-of-coronavirus-in-emergency-press-conference/500-58a7ac59-69cd-4860-aae7-1ef054d481be |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The state closes all [[Texas Department of Public Safety]] Driver License Offices, excepting those seeking their first [[commercial driver's license]], as Abbott partially suspends the Texas Transportation Code to delay expiration dates on driver's licenses.<ref name="TexasDriverLicenseClosed">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Texas Driver License Offices Temporary Closed Due To Coronavirus |url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/03/18/texas-driver-license-offices-closed-coronavirus/ |work=CBSDFW.com |publisher=CBS Broadcasting |date=2020-03-18 |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622192506/https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/03/18/texas-driver-license-offices-closed-coronavirus/ |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Local governments are also authorized to delay elections slated for May&nbsp;2 to November.<ref name="CanPostponeLocalElections">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Morris |first1=Allie |title=Texas cities, school districts can postpone local elections from May to November over coronavirus concerns |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2020/03/18/texas-cities-school-districts-can-postpone-local-elections-from-may-to-november-over-coronavirus-concerns/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-03-18 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524090224/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2020/03/18/texas-cities-school-districts-can-postpone-local-elections-from-may-to-november-over-coronavirus-concerns/ |archive-date=May 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;19''': The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Texas reported by the DSHS surpasses 100.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> [[Cameron County, Texas|Cameron County]] reports the first positive case of COVID-19 in the [[Lower Rio Grande Valley|Rio Grande Valley]], involving a 21-year-old traveler to [[Ireland]] and [[Spain]] from mid-March.<ref name="FirstRioGrandeValley">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Sullivan |first1=Tim |title=First Coronavirus Case Confirmed In The Rio Grande Valley |url=http://www.kurv.com/first-coronavirus-case-confirmed-in-the-rio-grande-valley/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KURV710 |publisher=Radio Para Mi |date=2020-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325124609/http://www.kurv.com/first-coronavirus-case-confirmed-in-the-rio-grande-valley/ |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first six cases of community transmission in San Antonio are documented.<ref name="SAFirstCommunitySpread">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Nowlin |first1=Sanford |title=San Antonio Confirms Its First Community Spread Coronavirus Infections |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/the-daily/archives/2020/03/19/san-antonio-confirms-its-first-community-spread-coronavirus-infections |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=San Antonio Current |date=2020-03-19 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322223141/https://www.sacurrent.com/the-daily/archives/2020/03/19/san-antonio-confirms-its-first-community-spread-coronavirus-infections |archive-date=March 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin Public Health reports evidence of community spread in [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]] as the county's cumulative case count nearly doubles in a single day.<ref name="APHEvidenceCommunitySpread">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Winkle |first1=Kate |title=Austin Public Health confirms evidence of coronavirus community spread in Travis County |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/austin-public-health-confirms-evidence-of-coronavirus-community-spread-in-travis-county/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-03-19 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325125339/https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/austin-public-health-confirms-evidence-of-coronavirus-community-spread-in-travis-county/ |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> An outbreak begins at the Denton State Supported Living Center in [[Denton, Texas|Denton]], with the number of positive test results increasing to 55&nbsp;residents and 67&nbsp;employees of facility by May&nbsp;21.<ref name="ExpandsTestingPsychiatric" /><ref name="DamageWasDone">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Ball |first1=Andrea |title='The damage was done': Coronavirus outbreak at N. Texas center sickens 75 |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200405/the-damage-was-done-coronavirus-outbreak-at-n-texas-center-sickens-75 |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-04-05 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424211346/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200405/the-damage-was-done-coronavirus-outbreak-at-n-texas-center-sickens-75 |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The DSHS declares a public health disaster, marking the first such declaration since 1901.<ref name="AbbottAnnouncesTemporaryClosures">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Morris |first1=Allie |last2=Barragán |first2=James |title=Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces temporary statewide school, restaurant, gym closures |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/19/gov-abbott-announces-temporary-statewide-school-restaurant-gym-closures/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-03-19 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611200655/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/19/gov-abbott-announces-temporary-statewide-school-restaurant-gym-closures/ |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> DSHS Director Hellerstedt issues the disaster declaration as the disease "has created an immediate threat, poses a high risk of death to a large number of people and creates a substantial risk of public exposure because of the disease’s method of transmission and evidence that there is community spread in Texas."<ref name="THCDeclaresHealthDisaster">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=Texas Health Commissioner Declares Public Health Disaster |url=https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/2020/20200319.aspx |publisher=Texas Department of State Health Services |access-date=2020-07-07 |date=2020-03-19}}</ref> Abbott issues four executive orders to ban gatherings of more than 10&nbsp;people; discourage eating and drinking at bars, food courts, restaurants, and visiting gyms (and close bars and restaurant dining rooms); proscribe visitation of nursing homes, retirement centers, and long-term care facilities with exception of providing critical care; and temporarily close all Texas schools.<ref name="TexasGovMustClose">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Flores |first1=Rebecca |title=Texas governor: Schools, bars, restaurant dining rooms must close temporarily due to coronavirus |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-texas-public-health-disaster-abbott/269-fb3ef839-bf7a-4345-8e69-e63213825418 |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KVUE |publisher=KVUE-TV |date=2020-03-19 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605174454/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-texas-public-health-disaster-abbott/269-fb3ef839-bf7a-4345-8e69-e63213825418 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Texas Supreme Court]] halts most eviction proceedings statewide until April&nbsp;19.<ref name="COVIDinTexas3-19">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 3/19: Supreme Court halts evictions statewide |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/19/coronavirus-updates-texas-economy-government-employees-telemedicine/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603021247/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/19/coronavirus-updates-texas-economy-government-employees-telemedicine/ |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;20''': Abbott postpones [[runoff election]]s scheduled for May&nbsp;26 to July&nbsp;14.<ref name="PostponesMayPrimary">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Morris |first1=Allie |last2=Méndez |first2=María |title=Citing coronavirus, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott postpones May primary runoff election to July 14 |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/20/texas-democrats-sue-to-force-may-election-to-be-carried-out-through-mail-in-ballots/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511111738/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/20/texas-democrats-sue-to-force-may-election-to-be-carried-out-through-mail-in-ballots/ |archive-date=May 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prisoner healthcare fees related to COVID-19 are suspended.<ref name="COVIDinTexas3-20">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=McCullough |first1=Jolie |title=Coronavirus in Texas 3/20: More than 5,000 tests given, 212 test positive |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/20/coronavirus-updates-texas-advocates-call-release-migrants/ |access-date=2020-03-20 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609025245/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/20/coronavirus-updates-texas-advocates-call-release-migrants/ |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Healthcare providers begin to delay [[elective medicine|elective medical procedures]], including [[Houston Methodist Hospital|Houston Methodist]] and the [[Memorial Hermann Health System]].<ref name="PatientsFaceCanceled">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Collier |first1=Kiah |title=Patients face canceled appointments and delayed surgeries as doctors respond to coronavirus. They're worried about the wait. |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/20/amid-coronavirus-texas-patients-face-delayed-surgeries-medical-care/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603065448/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/20/amid-coronavirus-texas-patients-face-delayed-surgeries-medical-care/ |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;21''': Officials in [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]] and [[Nueces County, Texas|Nueces County]] confirm the first case of COVID-19 in the area. The individual is believed to have contracted the virus following a one-day business trip to Houston.<ref name="NuecesCountyFirstConfirmed">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Burns |first1=Ashlee |title=Nueces County officials: First coronavirus case confirmed in county |url=https://www.caller.com/story/news/local/2020/03/21/coronavirus-texas-first-covid-19-case-in-nueces-county-confirmed-corpus-christi/5066446002/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Caller Times |date=2020-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619150500/https://www.caller.com/story/news/local/2020/03/21/coronavirus-texas-first-covid-19-case-in-nueces-county-confirmed-corpus-christi/5066446002/ |archive-date=June 19, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> A resident of the Southeast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio is hospitalized and tests positive for COVID-19.<ref name="SanAntonioRecentlyCitedInfectionControl" /> An outbreak at the nursing home leads to at least 75&nbsp;infections and 12&nbsp;fatalities, prompting investigations by local and state officials.<ref name="TexasSALaunchInvestigationsNursingHome">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Caruba |first1=Lauren |title=Texas, San Antonio officials launch investigations of nursing home overrun by coronavirus |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Potential-spread-from-San-Antonio-nursing-home-15177437.php |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=San Antonio Express-News |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-04-04 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604092046/https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Potential-spread-from-San-Antonio-nursing-home-15177437.php |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="COVIDinTexas4-7">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/7: State reports 8,262 cases and 154 deaths; 5 more die at San Antonio nursing home |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/07/coronavirus-texas-47-texas-prisoners-sewing-20000-masks-day/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421024059/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/07/coronavirus-texas-47-texas-prisoners-sewing-20000-masks-day/ |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="COVIDinTexas4-10">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/10: State reports 11,671 cases and 226 deaths |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/10/coronavirus-texas-410-more-10000-texans-have-tested-positive/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424035746/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/10/coronavirus-texas-410-more-10000-texans-have-tested-positive/ |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The nursing home had been recently evaluated as having poor sanitation and infection control in federal reports.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-1" /><ref name="SanAntonioRecentlyCitedInfectionControl">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Caruba |first1=Lauren |last2=Fechter |first2=Joshua |title=San Antonio nursing home at center of coronavirus outbreak recently cited for infection control problems |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Coronavirus-outbreak-at-San-Antonio-nursing-home-15171948.php |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=San Antonio Express-News |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-04-01 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627021018/https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Coronavirus-outbreak-at-San-Antonio-nursing-home-15171948.php |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott suspends nursing regulations to increase the nursing workforce, including nurses with inactive licenses and retired nurses to reactivate their licenses.<ref name="AbbottLowersRegulationsExpandNursing">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Knight |first1=Drew |title=Gov. Abbott lowers regulations to expand nursing workforce during coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-regulations-lowered-for-texas-nurses/269-4248888a-dc85-44c9-9766-178001bcfa6d |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KVUE |publisher=KVUE-TV |date=2020-03-21 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428181817/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-regulations-lowered-for-texas-nurses/269-4248888a-dc85-44c9-9766-178001bcfa6d |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dallas County Judge [[Clay Jenkins]] proscribes elective medical procedures in the county through April&nbsp;3.<ref name="DallasCountyBansElective">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Formby |first1=Brandon |title=Dallas County bans elective medical procedures to focus resources on climbing coronavirus cases |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/21/texas-coronavirus-crisis-dallas-county-ban-elective-medical-procedures/ |access-date=2020-03-21 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626110556/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/21/texas-coronavirus-crisis-dallas-county-ban-elective-medical-procedures/ |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;22''': Abbott issues an executive order allowing hospitals to treat two patients in the same room and ordering the suspension of "elective or non-essential" medical procedures.<ref name="OrdersPostponeNonessentialSurgeries">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Gov. Abbott issues orders to postpone non-essential surgeries, expand Texas hospital capacity amid warning about lack of beds |url=https://kvia.com/health/2020/03/22/gov-abbott-issues-orders-to-expand-texas-hospital-capacity-amid-warning-about-lack-of-beds/ |work=KVIA.com |agency=Associated Press |publisher=News-Press & Gazette |date=2020-03-22 |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518232037/https://kvia.com/health/2020/03/22/gov-abbott-issues-orders-to-expand-texas-hospital-capacity-amid-warning-about-lack-of-beds/ |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Texas Attorney General [[Ken Paxton]] clarifies the following day that the order extends to [[abortion]]s, prompting representatives of abortion providers in Texas to seek a [[restraining order]].<ref name="NoAbortionsUnlessDanger">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Justin |first1=Raga |title=No abortions in Texas unless the mother's life is in danger, Texas attorney general says as coronavirus spreads |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/23/texas-stops-most-abortions-during-coronavirus-outbreak/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604033816/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/23/texas-stops-most-abortions-during-coronavirus-outbreak/ |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AbortionProvidersSue">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Justin |first1=Raga |title=Abortion providers sue Texas over coronavirus-related order |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/25/texas-abortions-coronavirus-outbreak-lawsuit/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417213059/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/25/texas-abortions-coronavirus-outbreak-lawsuit/ |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Federal Judge [[Earl Leroy Yeakel III]] of the Western District of Texas blocks the abortion ban on March&nbsp;30;<ref name="JudgeTemporarilyBlocksBanAbortions">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Sparber |first1=Sami |title=Federal judge temporarily blocks Texas' ban on abortions during coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/30/texas-attempt-ban-abortions-during-coronavirus-blocked-judge/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605164348/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/30/texas-attempt-ban-abortions-during-coronavirus-blocked-judge/ |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> the block is overturned by the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit]] on March&nbsp;31.<ref name="ReinstatesOrderAbortion">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Kelly |first1=Caroline |last2=de Vouge |first2=Ariane |title=Appeals court temporarily re-instates Texas order limiting abortion access over coronavirus |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/politics/appeals-court-reinstates-texas-abortion-corornavirus/index.html |access-date=2020-03-31 |work=CNN |date=2020-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408013447/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/politics/appeals-court-reinstates-texas-abortion-corornavirus/index.html |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> A Supply Chain Strike Force is formed under the chairmanship of Keith Miears to manage healthcare logistics between public and private sectors.<ref name="PreemptCapacityDemands">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Callaham |first1=Sheila |title=Texas Governor Issues Order To Preempt Capacity Demands On Hospitals And Equipment |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sheilacallaham/2020/03/23/texas-governor-issued-order-to-preempt-capacity-demands-on-hospitals-and-protective-equipment/#230793ad22aa |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Forbes |date=2020-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424135644/https://www.forbes.com/sites/sheilacallaham/2020/03/23/texas-governor-issued-order-to-preempt-capacity-demands-on-hospitals-and-protective-equipment/#230793ad22aa |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;23''': The [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]] confirms a positive test result for a 37-year-old prisoner at the [[Lychner State Jail]], marking the first case of COVID-19 from a Texas inmate.<ref name="FirstInmateCase">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=McCullough |first1=Jolie |title=Coronavirus hits Texas prisons with first inmate case confirmed |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/24/texas-prison-first-coronavirus-case/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604011708/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/24/texas-prison-first-coronavirus-case/ |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The CDC disburses $36.9&nbsp;million to Texas as part of the [[Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020]] (CARES Act); the DSHS allocates $19.5&nbsp;million to 43&nbsp;local health departments and the remainder to operations support and state response.<ref name="Receives36.9Million">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Reid |first1=Lauren |title=Texas receives $36.9 million from CDC as part of allotment from emergency coronavirus bill |url=https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-receives-36-9-million-from-cdc-as-part-of-allotment-from-emergency-coronavirus-bill |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=FOX7Austin.com |publisher=FOX Television Stations |date=2020-03-23 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605053422/https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-receives-36-9-million-from-cdc-as-part-of-allotment-from-emergency-coronavirus-bill |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott asks President Trump to issue a disaster declaration for the state of Texas with crisis counseling and direct federal assistance for all counties.<ref name="AbbottAsksTrumpDeclareDisaster">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Cobler |first1=Nicole |title=Abbott asks Trump to declare Texas a major disaster |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200323/abbott-asks-trump-to-declare-texas-major-disaster |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-03-23 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407205355/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200323/abbott-asks-trump-to-declare-texas-major-disaster |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> A "[[stay-at-home order|shelter-at-home order]]" goes into effect for Dallas County.<ref name="ShelterAtHomeOrderIssuedDallas">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Dial |first1=Steven |title=Shelter-at-home order issued for Dallas County's residents and workers |url=https://www.fox4news.com/news/shelter-at-home-order-issued-for-dallas-countys-residents-and-workers |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=FOX 4 KDFW |date=2020-03-22 |location=Dallas, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617131735/https://www.fox4news.com/news/shelter-at-home-order-issued-for-dallas-countys-residents-and-workers |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;24''': The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Texas reported by the DSHS surpasses 500 and the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities reported by the DSHS surpasses 10.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> Abbott issues an executive order requiring hospitals to report bed capacity to the state health department daily and healthcare providers to report COVID-19 testing. The Supply Chain Strike Force orders $80&nbsp;million in supplies, including 200,000&nbsp;masks daily.<ref name="SubmitDailyReportsBedCapacity">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Reding |first1=Shawna M. |last2=Livengood |first2=Paul |title=Coronavirus: Gov. Abbott orders hospitals to submit daily reports on bed capacity, COVID-19 testing |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid19-texas-update-gov-greg-abbott/269-83a0337b-8366-4a41-af79-f3efd19730b7 |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KVUE |publisher=KVUE-TX |date=2020-03-24 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401213650/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid19-texas-update-gov-greg-abbott/269-83a0337b-8366-4a41-af79-f3efd19730b7 |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Stay-at-home orders go into effect in Bexar, Harris, and Travis counties.<ref name="StayHomeOrderIssuedSA">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Petty |first1=Kathleen |title=Stay Home Order Issued for San Antonio |url=https://www.sanantoniomag.com/stay-home-order-issued-for-san-antonio/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=San Antonio Magazine |publisher=Open Sky Media |date=2020-03-23 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401221614/https://www.sanantoniomag.com/stay-home-order-issued-for-san-antonio/ |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="StayHomeWorkSafeHarris">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Delony |first1=Doug |title='Stay Home Work Safe order' goes into effect in Harris County, Houston |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/stay-home-work-safe-houston-harris-county-issue-stay-at-home-shelter-place-order/285-87390d65-44b3-464f-830a-399ea202eac7 |access-date=2020-03-24 |work=KHOU |publisher=KHOU-TX |date=2020-03-24 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401215432/https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/stay-home-work-safe-houston-harris-county-issue-stay-at-home-shelter-place-order/285-87390d65-44b3-464f-830a-399ea202eac7 |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TravisWilliamsonStayHome">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Kendall |first1=Jennifer |title=Travis County, Williamson County issue stay at home orders |url=https://www.fox7austin.com/news/travis-county-williamson-county-issue-stay-at-home-orders |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=FOX7Austin.com |publisher=FOX Television Stations |date=2020-03-23 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601215713/https://www.fox7austin.com/news/travis-county-williamson-county-issue-stay-at-home-orders |archive-date=June 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;25''': President Trump approves a federal disaster declaration for the state of Texas.<ref name="ApprovesDisasterDeclaration">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Tate |first1=Sunnie |title=President approves disaster declaration for state of Texas |url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/news/President-approves-Texas-Disaster-Declaration-569099051.html |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=KBTX-TV |publisher=Gray Television |date=2020-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326160752/https://www.kbtx.com/content/news/President-approves-Texas-Disaster-Declaration-569099051.html |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The declaration obligates $628.8&nbsp;million in public assistance grants from the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA).<ref name="DR-4485">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=Texas Covid-19 Pandemic (DR-4485) |url=https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4485 |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency |access-date=2020-07-07 |date=2020-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614224839/https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4485 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Texas National Guard Supports Mobile Testing Teams (49885300571).jpg|thumb|The Texas National Guard was deployed on March&nbsp;27 to aid mobile COVID-19 testing|alt=Texas National Guard personnel setting up a mobile testing station]]
'''March&nbsp;26''': The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Texas reported by the DSHS surpasses 1,000.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> An executive order issued by Abbott mandates visitors flying to Texas from [[Connecticut]], [[New Jersey]], [[New York (state)|New York]], and [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], to self-quarantine for 14&nbsp;days.<ref name="AirTravelersSelfQuarantine">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Svitek |first1=Patrick |title=Gov. Greg Abbott orders air travelers from New Orleans and around New York to self-quarantine |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/26/texas-orders-self-quarantine-air-travelers-new-york-and-new-orleans/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526054142/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/26/texas-orders-self-quarantine-air-travelers-new-york-and-new-orleans/ |archive-date=May 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Modelling from a team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin was presented to the government of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. The model projected epidemiological outcomes of school closures and varying degrees of social distancing compliance out to August&nbsp;17, starting with a [[basic reproduction number]] of 2.2, an average [[incubation period]] of 7.1&nbsp;days, a [[doubling time]] of 4&nbsp;days, and the initial prevalence of COVID-19 in the region. It indicated that healthcare capacity of the [[Greater Austin]] metropolitan area would be exceeded if "extensive [[social distancing]] measures" were not implemented. The simulation estimated 87,501&nbsp;cumulative hospitalizations and 10,908&nbsp;cumulative deaths in the absence of social distancing measures or school closures, compared to 3,254&nbsp;cumulative hospitalizations and 267&nbsp;cumulative deaths with both school closures and 90&nbsp;percent social distance compliance; of the four social distancing scenarios modeled, only the 90&nbsp;percent compliance scenario indicated hospitalizations within capacity through August&nbsp;17.<ref name="Pasco et al.">{{cite report|last1=Pasco |first1=Remy |last2=Wang |first2=Xutong |last3=Petty |first3=Michaela |last4=Du |first4=Zhanwei |last5=Fox |first5=Spencer J. |last6=Pignone |first6=Michael |last7=Johnson |first7=Clay |last8=Meyers |first8=Luaren Ancel |title=COVID-19 Healthcare Demand Projections: Austin, Texas |url=https://sites.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/cid/files/covid-19_analysis_for_austin_march2020.pdf |access-date=2020-07-05 |publisher=University of Texas |date=2020-03-26 |location=Austin, Texas }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;27''': Three brigades from the Texas National Guard are deployed to assist drive-through COVID-19 testing sites.<ref name="AbbottDeploysTNGMobileTesting">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Wallace |first1=Jeremy |title=Gov. Greg Abbott deploys Texas National Guard to help with mobile testing |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Gov-Greg-Abbott-deploys-Texas-National-Guard-to-15162555.php |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-03-27 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403011029/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Gov-Greg-Abbott-deploys-Texas-National-Guard-to-15162555.php |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The U.S. government authorizes the [[Texas Health and Human Services Commission]] to extend coverage for the [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program]] (SNAP) and [[Medicaid]].<ref name="COVIDinTexas3-28">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 3/28: SNAP and Medicaid coverage in Texas extended |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/28/coronavirus-updates-texas-mckinney-coronavirus-order-spurs-lawsuit/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528135242/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/28/coronavirus-updates-texas-mckinney-coronavirus-order-spurs-lawsuit/ |archive-date=May 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;28''': The number of confirmed cases in Houston triples from 69 to 232.<ref name="CDCIssuesDomesticAdvisory">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=McGuiness |first1=Dylan |last2=Chapa |first2=Sergio |title=Coronavirus live updates: CDC issues domestic travel advisory for three states |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/article/Coronavirus-live-updates-Texas-coronavirus-cases-15163456.php |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-03-28 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403222223/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/article/Coronavirus-live-updates-Texas-coronavirus-cases-15163456.php |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> A first case of COVID-19 is reported at The Resort, a nursing home in [[Texas City, Texas|Texas City]]. By April&nbsp;3, 83&nbsp;people at The Resort test positive for the virus.<ref name="OutbreakTexasCityNursingHome">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Svitek |first1=Patrick |last2=Proctor |first2=Clare |title=Coronavirus outbreak at Texas City nursing home follows cluster of patients at San Antonio facility |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/02/coronavirus-outbreak-texas-nursing-home-59-residents-test-positive/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526135756/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/02/coronavirus-outbreak-texas-nursing-home-59-residents-test-positive/ |archive-date=May 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Renewal regulations for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees are waived to bolster pharmaceutical services.<ref name="WaivingLicensingRegulationsPharmacy">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Gov. Abbott Waiving Certain Licensing Regulations for Texas Pharmacy Workers |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/san-antonio/news/2020/03/28/gov--abbott-waiving-certain-licensing-regulations-for-texas-pharmacy-workers |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Spectrum News |publisher=Charter Communications |date=2020-03-28 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404045435/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/san-antonio/news/2020/03/28/gov--abbott-waiving-certain-licensing-regulations-for-texas-pharmacy-workers |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;29''': The state's mandatory 14-day quarantines are expanded to include air travelers entering Texas from the states of [[California]] and [[Washington (state)|Washington]], the cities of  Atlanta, [[Detroit]], and [[Miami]], and road travelers entering Texas from Louisiana.<ref name="RoadTravelersFromLouisiana">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Lindell |first1=Chuck |title=Abbott adds road travelers from Louisiana to coronavirus quarantine |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200329/abbott-adds-road-travelers-from-louisiana-to-coronavirus-quarantine |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-03-29 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613010541/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200329/abbott-adds-road-travelers-from-louisiana-to-coronavirus-quarantine |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ExpandsTravelRestrictionsPopUp">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Svitek |first1=Patrick |title=Texas expands travel restrictions, launches pop-up hospital as coronavirus spreads |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/29/texas-expands-travel-restrictions-coronavirus-spreads/ |access-date=2020-03-29 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627200634/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/29/texas-expands-travel-restrictions-coronavirus-spreads/ |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center]] in Dallas, with capacity for at least 250&nbsp;beds, is designated as Texas's first ad hoc treatment facility COVID-19.<ref name="ExpandsTravelRestrictionsPopUp" /> Initial [[Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation COVID model|modelling]] from the [[Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation]] (IMHE) at the [[University of Washington]] projects 6,029&nbsp;deaths in the state by August&nbsp;4 with peak hospital resource use and daily fatalities on May&nbsp;5–6.<ref name="PandemicPeakEstimated">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Tamplin |first1=Harley |title=UPDATE: Texas coronavirus pandemic peak now estimated for April 20, lower death count |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/texas-almost-three-weeks-away-from-coronavirus-pandemic-peak-new-projections-claim/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KXAN |date=2020-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407214010/https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/texas-almost-three-weeks-away-from-coronavirus-pandemic-peak-new-projections-claim/ |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''March&nbsp;31''': An executive order from Abbott amends earlier social distancing policies, limiting activities susceptible to the spread of COVID-19 and giving police power to apprehend violators effective through April&nbsp;30; the order does not apply to activities classified as essential. Schools are ordered closed to classroom attendance until May&nbsp;4.<ref name="AbbottOrdersContinueApril30">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Gov. Abbott Orders Social Distancing Continue to April 30 |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/san-antonio/news/2020/03/31/gov--abbott-orders-social-distancing-continue-to-april-30 |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Spectrum News |publisher=Charter Communications |date=2020-03-31 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref><ref name="GovernorExpandsRules">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Hansen |first1=Claire |title=Texas Governor Expands Social Distancing Rules, Stops Short of Stay-at-Home Order |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-03-31/texas-gov-greg-abbott-expands-social-distancing-rules-stops-short-of-stay-at-home-order |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=2020-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403100900/https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-03-31/texas-gov-greg-abbott-expands-social-distancing-rules-stops-short-of-stay-at-home-order |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Across the state, 51&nbsp;counties are under stay-at-home orders by the end of March&nbsp;2020.<ref name="MoreThan50CitiesCounties">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Wilson |first1=Wes |title=More than 50 Texas cities and counties have issued stay-at-home orders |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/heres-which-texas-cities-and-counties-have-issued-stay-at-home-orders/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-03-24 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612012330/https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/heres-which-texas-cities-and-counties-have-issued-stay-at-home-orders/ |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== April 2020 ===
'''April&nbsp;1''': Thirteen counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-1" /> The [[Texas Department of Public Safety]] (DPS) begins rolling out enforcement of travel restrictions ordered by Abbott, sending troopers to airports to direct travelers to quarantines.<ref name="TexasDPSBeginsEnforcing">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Plohetski |first1=Tony |title=Coronavirus: Texas DPS begins enforcing Gov. Abbott's travel restrictions |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-texas-dps-travel-restrictions/269-626dc658-64fe-4daf-b420-19b78ebeacf5 |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KVUe |publisher=KVUE-TV |date=2020-04-01 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523162019/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-texas-dps-travel-restrictions/269-626dc658-64fe-4daf-b420-19b78ebeacf5 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> El Paso expands restrictions on most gatherings of any size and closes recreational areas.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-1">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/1: El Paso strengthens stay-at-home order |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/01/coronavirus-texas-tenants-worry-rent-people-seeking-abortion-limbo/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414173230/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/01/coronavirus-texas-tenants-worry-rent-people-seeking-abortion-limbo/ |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;2''': Eight counties confirm cases of COVID-19 for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-2">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/2: More than a quarter million Texans file for unemployment relief in one week |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/02/coronavirus-texas-cities-worried-about-decreased-sales-tax-revenue/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414173227/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/02/coronavirus-texas-cities-worried-about-decreased-sales-tax-revenue/ |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Data from the DSHS indicates COVID-19 fatalities in the state quadrupled over the preceding week.<ref name="DeathTollQuadruples">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Cobler |first1=Nicole |title=Texas coronavirus death toll quadruples, mirroring U.S. rate |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200402/texas-coronavirus-death-toll-quadruples-mirroring-us-rate |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-04-02 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414103833/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200402/texas-coronavirus-death-toll-quadruples-mirroring-us-rate |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;3''': Two counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-3">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/3: Harris County has 1,000 infected residents; CDC now recommends cloth face coverings in public |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/03/coronavirus-texas-43-san-antonio-could-close-parks/ |access-date=2020-04-03 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701014329/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/03/coronavirus-texas-43-san-antonio-could-close-parks/ |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Harris County becomes the first county to document over 1,000&nbsp;total cases, with the Houston area accounting for 38&nbsp;percent of cases in the state.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-3" /><ref name="HoustonArea38Percent">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Kamath |first1=Tulsi |title=At 2,029, Houston-area coronavirus cases account for 38% of all cases in Texas |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/04/03/houston-and-harris-county-lead-texas-in-coronavirus-cases/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-04-03 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407165921/https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/04/03/houston-and-harris-county-lead-texas-in-coronavirus-cases/ |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;4''': The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities in Texas reported by the DSHS surpasses 100.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> Six counties report cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-4">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/4: Officials investigate San Antonio nursing home experiencing outbreak |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/04/coronavirus-texas-44-state-investigates-san-antonio-nursing-home/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416194011/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/04/coronavirus-texas-44-state-investigates-san-antonio-nursing-home/ |archive-date=April 16, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:COVID-19 outbreak USA stay-at-home order county map.svg|thumb|right|States, territories, and counties in the U.S. that issued a stay-at-home order:
{{legend|#045a8d|Came into effect before March&nbsp;22}}
{{legend|#2b8cbe|Came into effect before March&nbsp;29}}
{{legend|#74a9cf|Came into effect before April&nbsp;5}}
{{legend|#a6bddb|Came into effect before April&nbsp;12}}
]]
'''April&nbsp;5''': Analysis from the University of Texas estimate a 9&nbsp;percent likelihood of undetected outbreaks occurring in counties without reported cases.<ref name="CoronavirusCreepingUndetected">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Price |first1=Asher |title=Coronavirus creeping undetected through Texas and U.S., researchers write |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200405/coronavirus-creeping-undetected-through-texas-and-us-researchers-write |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-04-05 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424164637/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200405/coronavirus-creeping-undetected-through-texas-and-us-researchers-write |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott permits new medical professionals to enter the workforce with an emergency license under supervision without taking a final licensure exam.<ref name="GovAbbottWaivesRegulationsEmergencyLicenses">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Gov. Abbott waives regulations for emergency licenses to expand health care workforce |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/gov-abbott-waives-regulations-for-emergency-licenses-to-expand-health-care-workforce/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nextar Broadcasting |date=2020-04-05 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409071144/https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/gov-abbott-waives-regulations-for-emergency-licenses-to-expand-health-care-workforce/ |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Texas DPS establishes checkpoints along the state border with Louisiana on [[Interstate 10]] following the mandatory quarantine order for road travelers entering from Louisiana.<ref name="DPSCheckpointsUnderway">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=DPS "checkpoints" underway at Louisiana state line, anyone entering from Louisiana required to self-quarantine for 14 days |url=https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/covid-19-checkpoints-screenings-may-result-in-backups-crossing-into-texas/502-7e369a57-3c31-4cda-af27-0d07917ea51a |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KBMT |agency=12NewsNow |publisher=KBMT-TV |date=2020-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430122800/https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/covid-19-checkpoints-screenings-may-result-in-backups-crossing-into-texas/502-7e369a57-3c31-4cda-af27-0d07917ea51a |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;6''': Six counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-6">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/6: 7,276 cases and 140 deaths; state opens checkpoints near Louisiana border |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/06/coronavirus-texas-46-state-supreme-court-extends-eviction-freeze/ |access-date=2020-07-06 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419232808/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/06/coronavirus-texas-46-state-supreme-court-extends-eviction-freeze/ |archive-date=April 19, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott reports that 1.68&nbsp;million masks and 210,000&nbsp;face shields have been distributed in the state since March&nbsp;30, with another 2.5&nbsp;million masks awaiting distribution and 3&nbsp;million masks pending delivery.<ref name="DirectDepositsSoon">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Livengood |first1=Paul |last2=Flores |first2=Rebecca |title=Direct deposits coming soon to Texans, Gov. Abbott says |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/texas-coronavirus-covid-19-gov-abbott-ppe-direct-depost-cases-update/269-cde9c136-423e-40fe-a1b7-acdcb5e2cd2b |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KVUE |publisher=KVUE-TV |date=2020-04-06 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411072608/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/texas-coronavirus-covid-19-gov-abbott-ppe-direct-depost-cases-update/269-cde9c136-423e-40fe-a1b7-acdcb5e2cd2b |archive-date=April 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Harris County begins constructing a medical shelter at [[NRG Park]] to handle an influx of COVID-19 patients, with approval later given for a $60&nbsp;million backup field hospital.<ref name="HarrisCountyMedicalShelterNRG">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Ketterer |first1=Samantha |last2=Dellinger |first2=Hannah |title=Coronavirus live updates: Harris County building medical shelter at NRG Park |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/coronavirus-live-update-who-what-why-pandemic-15181318.php |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-04-06 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410212014/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/coronavirus-live-update-who-what-why-pandemic-15181318.php |archive-date=April 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="OK60MFieldHospitalNRG">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Downen |first1=Robert |last2=Ketterer |first2=Samantha |last3=Dellinger |first3=Hannah |title=Coronavirus live updates: County leaders OK $60M for field hospital at NRG Park |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/coronavirus-live-update-who-what-why-pandemic-15183778.php |access-date=2020-04-07 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-04-07 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411045313/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/coronavirus-live-update-who-what-why-pandemic-15183778.php |archive-date=April 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;7''': Four counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-7" /> All Texas state parks operated by [[Texas Parks and Wildlife]] and historical sites operated by the [[Texas Historical Commission]] close to prevent the spread of COVID-19.<ref name="StateParksHistoricSitesOrderedCloses">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Texas State Parks, Historic Sites Ordered Closed |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/texas-state-parks-historic-sites-ordered-closed/2346933/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=NBCDFW.com |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414021613/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/texas-state-parks-historic-sites-ordered-closed/2346933/ |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Texas Department of Criminal Justice enlists inmates at 10&nbsp;prison factories to produce up to 20,000&nbsp;cloth masks daily.<ref name="PrisonersCraft20K">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Gill |first1=Julian |title=Texas prisoners to craft up to 20,000 cloth masks a day for state employees, offenders in quarantine |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/texas-prison-cloth-masks-coronavirus-quarantine-15183218.php |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-04-07 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420175348/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/texas-prison-cloth-masks-coronavirus-quarantine-15183218.php |archive-date=April 20, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Texas Lieutenant Governor [[Dan Patrick (politician)|Dan Patrick]] forms a task force for reopening businesses.<ref name="DanPatrickTaskForceRestart">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Kamath |first1=Tulsi |title=Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick forms task force to restart economy after coronavirus |url=https://www.click2houston.com/money/2020/04/08/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-forms-task-force-to-restart-economy-after-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-04-07 |location=Houston, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422180800/https://www.click2houston.com/money/2020/04/08/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-forms-task-force-to-restart-economy-after-coronavirus/ |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;8''': The DSHS reports over 1,000&nbsp;cases in a single day for the first time, with 1,092 on April&nbsp;10.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> Four counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-8">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/8: Statewide cases top 9,000 with 177 deaths; San Antonio to furlough workers |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/08/coronavirus-texas-48-nursing-home-data-withheld-food-banks-slammed/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421024056/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/08/coronavirus-texas-48-nursing-home-data-withheld-food-banks-slammed/ |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[U.S. Department of Agriculture]] authorizes Texas Health and Human Services to grant SNAP recipients the maximum allowable allotment from the program based on family size, amounting to over $168&nbsp;million in emergency benefits.<ref name="TexasSNAPMaximum">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Weinberg |first1=Tessa |title=Texas SNAP recipients to receive maximum amount of benefits for April and May |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article241867736.html |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=2020-04-08 |location=Fort Worth, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518084217/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article241867736.html |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;9''': The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Texas reported by the DSHS surpasses 10,000.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> Three counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-9" /> The Texas Health and Human Services Commission reports that COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at approximately 13&nbsp;percent of the 1,222 nursing homes in the state.<ref name="MoreTHan13PercentNursing">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Walters |first1=Edgar |title=More than 13% of Texas nursing homes have at least one resident with coronavirus, officials say |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/09/texas-coronavirus-cases-nursing-homes/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531133149/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/09/texas-coronavirus-cases-nursing-homes/ |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Dallas City Council approves $4.3&nbsp;million to use recreational vehicles and hotel rooms to quarantine first responders.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-9">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas 4/9: ACLU sues Dallas County to release inmates over 50 |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/09/coronavirus-texas-49-dallas-rents-rvs-quarantine-first-responders/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423105437/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/09/coronavirus-texas-49-dallas-rents-rvs-quarantine-first-responders/ |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;10''': The DSHS reports 1,441 new cases, representing the highest single-day increase until mid-May.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> Six counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-10" /> The Austin City Council allocates $15&nbsp;million from city reserves to provide monetary assistance and food service through Austin Public Health.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-10" />
'''April&nbsp;11''': Abbott extends the state's disaster declaration, issued on March&nbsp;13, for an additional 30&nbsp;days. The declaration prolongs operation of the State Operations Center and access to the [[Strategic National Stockpile]].<ref name="AbbottExtendsDisasterDeclaration">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Rouege |first1=Ciara |title=Abbott extends Texas disaster declaration {{pipe}} Here's what that means |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/gov-abbott-extends-disaster-declaration-another-30-days/285-9e494ee3-5ea5-48d9-bf35-b8c4b88f5126 |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KHOU |publisher=KHOU-TV |date=2020-04-12 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528162757/https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/gov-abbott-extends-disaster-declaration-another-30-days/285-9e494ee3-5ea5-48d9-bf35-b8c4b88f5126 |archive-date=May 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;13''': Abbott announces his intention to reopen private businesses in the state.<ref name="ReopeningSlowProcess">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Svitek |first1=Patrick |title=Gov. Greg Abbott says reopening the Texas economy will be a slow process |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/13/greg-abbott-texas-economy-reopen-plans-this-week/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530031915/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/13/greg-abbott-texas-economy-reopen-plans-this-week/ |archive-date=May 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GovernorWantsSlowlyReopen">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Siemaszko |first1=Corky |title=Texas governor wants to 'slowly' reopen business. Trump says that's the federal government's decision. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-gov-wants-slowly-reopen-private-business-trump-says-s-n1182886 |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=NBC News |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508012749/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-gov-wants-slowly-reopen-private-business-trump-says-s-n1182886 |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city of Houston relaxes testing requirements for COVID-19, allowing anyone to get tested regardless of symptoms.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-13">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Texas reports 13,906 cases and 287 deaths; Austin-area officials mandate face coverings in some instances |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/13/coronavirus-texas-413-cases-could-come-waves/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611000846/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/13/coronavirus-texas-413-cases-could-come-waves/ |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;14''': Three counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time. Texas airports receive $811.5&nbsp;million in support from the CARES Act.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-14">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Hard-line conservatives want stay-at-home order relaxed; Paxton issues opinion on temporary tax exemption |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/14/coronavirus-texas-nearly-14000-texans-have-tested-positive/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501114315/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/14/coronavirus-texas-nearly-14000-texans-have-tested-positive/ |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;15''': Three counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-15">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Democrats ask Trump to suspend construction of border wall |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/15/coronavirus-texas-update/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426040608/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/15/coronavirus-texas-update/ |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott announces that the Texas Public Safety Office will allocate $38&nbsp;million in federal funding to local governments.<ref name="AbbottAnnounces38M">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=Governor Abbott Announces $38 Million In Federal COVID-19 Emergency Funding For Local Governments |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-38-million-in-federal-covid-19-emergency-funding-for-local-governments |publisher=Office of the Texas Governor |access-date=2020-07-07 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624021443/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-38-million-in-federal-covid-19-emergency-funding-for-local-governments |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;16''': Seven counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time. Dallas County and San Antonio begin mandating face masks. The Texas Frontline Child Task Force apportions $200&nbsp;million in funding to support child care costs for essential workers.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-16">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Website launches to help essential workers find child care |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/16/coronavirus-texas-update/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-16}}</ref>
[[File:20200417-FNS-LSC-0079 (49786696527).jpg|thumb|Mass distribution sites for food were established in Texas, including one at the Alamodome|alt=Aerial view of tents at a parking lot]]
'''April&nbsp;17''': A privately homeless shelter in Dallas reports the first 17 of ultimately 38&nbsp;positive results for COVID-19.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-18">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Neiman Marcus preparing to declare bankruptcy; thousands line up for food in Houston |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/18/coronavirus-updates-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-18}}</ref> Abbott announces the start of his plan to reopen the Texas economy, citing a "semi-flattened [[epidemic curve|curve]]" of COVID-19 cases in the state.<ref name="WhosWhoStrikeForce">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Hennes |first1=Rebecca |title=Who's who on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's Strike Force to Reopen Texas |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Gov-Greg-Abbott-Strike-Force-reopen-Texas-15208276.php |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Chron |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629231406/https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Gov-Greg-Abbott-Strike-Force-reopen-Texas-15208276.php |archive-date=June 29, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The reopening is outlined in three executive orders issued by Abbott that allows for state parks to open under social distancing regulations on April&nbsp;20, limited nonessential surgeries at hospitals beginning after April&nbsp;21, and product pickup at retail stores beginning on April&nbsp;24.<ref name="AnnouncesTeamRestart">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Svitek |first1=Patrick |title=Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces team to restart the economy, loosens some restrictions |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/17/texas-reopening-greg-abbott-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426041226/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/17/texas-reopening-greg-abbott-coronavirus/ |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The reopening process also establishes the Strike Force to Open Texas, an advisory panel to Abbott for reopening economy. The panel is led by James Huffines with Mike Toomey as its chief operating officer; its consulting members are all members of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. The panel also consists of a medical team and a special advisory council.<ref name="WhosOnStrikeForce">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Price |first1=Asher |title=Who's on Abbott's Strike Force to Open Texas |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200417/whorsquos-on-abbottrsquos-strike-force-to-open-texas |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-04-17 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521042808/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200417/whorsquos-on-abbottrsquos-strike-force-to-open-texas |archive-date=May 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott also calls for public schools to remain closed for the rest of the 2019–2020 academic year.<ref name="SaysSchoolsRemainClosed">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Garrett |first1=Robert T. |last2=Barragán |first2=James |last3=Morris |first3=Allie |title=Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says schools to remain closed for rest of academic year but eases some coronavirus restrictions |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/04/17/texas-gov-greg-abbott-keeps-schools-closed-but-eases-some-coronavirus-restrictions/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-04-17 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604033915/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/04/17/texas-gov-greg-abbott-keeps-schools-closed-but-eases-some-coronavirus-restrictions/ |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;18''': Three counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-18" />
'''April&nbsp;20''': [[Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] (ICE) reports 24&nbsp;detainees have COVID-19 at the Prairieland Detention Center in [[Alvarado, Texas|Alvarado]].<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-20">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Most state parks reopen; National Guard to open new testing sites |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/20/coronavirus-texas-state-parks-reopen-monday/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-20}}</ref> Over 1,200 personnel on 25&nbsp;COVID-19 mobile testing teams from the Texas National Guard are deployed around the state at locations determined by the DSHS.<ref name="TNGMobilize1200">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Stouffer |first1=Holly |title=Texas National Guard will mobilize more than 1,200 personnel as part of COVID-19 mobile testing teams |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/texas-national-guard-will-mobilize-more-than-1200-personnel-as-part-of-covid-19-mobile-testing-teams/273-655e1081-dfed-4946-ac6e-0825edffb6f7 |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KENS5 |publisher=KENS5-TV |date=2020-04-20 |location=San Antonio, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425105602/https://www.kens5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/texas-national-guard-will-mobilize-more-than-1200-personnel-as-part-of-covid-19-mobile-testing-teams/273-655e1081-dfed-4946-ac6e-0825edffb6f7 |archive-date=April 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;22''': Two counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-22">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: County jail population shrank by more than 10,000 |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/22/coronavirus-updates-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-22}}</ref> Harris County begins mandating the use of face coverings for 30&nbsp;days, enforceable by a $1,000&nbsp;fine.<ref name="HarrisRequireFacemask">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Sternitzky-Di Napoli |first1=Daniela |title=Harris County to require residents to wear a face-mask. Those who don't could be fined $1,000. |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/04/22/hidalgo-to-order-harris-county-to-wear-masks-in-public-for-30-days/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-04-23 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;23''': The Texas Health and Human Services Commission receives $54&nbsp;million through the CARES ACT to provide COVID-19 support for disability and geriatric services.<ref name="TexasReceives54Million">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Cunningham |first1=Patrick |title=Texas receives $54 million to assist seniors and those with disabilities |url=https://www.easttexasmatters.com/news/local-news/texas-receives-54-million-to-assist-seniors-and-those-with-disabilities/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KETK.com |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-04-23 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502001043/https://www.easttexasmatters.com/news/local-news/texas-receives-54-million-to-assist-seniors-and-those-with-disabilities/ |archive-date=May 2, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;24''': Two counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-24">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Texas reports 22,806 cases and 593 deaths, releases online map of testing locations|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/24/coronavirus-updates-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-24}}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;27''': Pursuant to the executive order establishing the Strike Force to Open Texas, Abbott releases the ''Texas Governor's Report to Open Texas'', putting forth a phased approach to reopen the state's economy, outlining a three-phase plan to reopen and relax restrictions on Texas businesses in addition to providing guidance on newly released social protocols from the governor and chief officers of the Strike Force to Open Texas. Abbott also outlines three phases for expanding contract tracing.<ref name="RetailStoresTheatersRestaurantsMallsReopen">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Flores |first1=Rebecca |last2=Turner |first2=Sammy |title=Retail stores, movie theaters, restaurants and malls able to reopen May 1, Gov. Abbott says |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-texas-austin-covid-19-gov-abbott-updates/269-a55294cb-cbdb-45be-a245-a3b9b7768743 |access-date=2020-04-27 |work=KVUE |publisher=KVUE-TX |date=2020-04-27 |location=Austin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527065108/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-texas-austin-covid-19-gov-abbott-updates/269-a55294cb-cbdb-45be-a245-a3b9b7768743 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GovernorsReportOpenTexas">{{cite report |title=The Governor's Report to Open Texas |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/458650631/Gov-Abbott-OpenTexas-Report |via=Scribd |publisher=Governor's Strike Force to Open Texas |access-date=2020-07-06 |location=Austin, Texas |date=2020-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621095316/https://www.scribd.com/document/458650631/Gov-Abbott-OpenTexas-Report |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The limits and timetable specified in the state reopening plan overrule local jurisdictions.<ref name="HidalgoOrdersMasks">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Despart |first1=Zach |title=Hidalgo orders Harris County residents to wear masks in public, draws fire from police unions, GOP |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/harris-county-mandatory-mask-order-coronavirus-15217911.php |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-04-22 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref><ref name="DalalsCountyExtendsStayConflict">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Manuel |first1=Obed |title=Dallas County extends stay-at-home order until May 15, but may conflict with state orders |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/04/21/dallas-county-extends-stay-at-home-order-until-may-15/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-04-21 |location=Dallas, Texas}}</ref> Baylor University President Linda Livingstone announces the university's intention to provide in-person instruction and student residency in fall&nbsp;2020.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-27">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Baylor says it will resume in-person teaching this fall and open its dorms |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/27/coronavirus-updates-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-27}}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;28''': Two counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-28">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Southwest Airlines announces first quarterly loss in nearly 10 years|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/28/coronavirus-updates-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-28}}</ref>
'''April&nbsp;30''': Two counties report COVID-19 cases for the first time. Stay at-home order ends in the entire state of Texas.<ref name="COVIDinTexas4-30">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Southwest Airlines announces first quarterly loss in nearly 10 years|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/30/coronavirus-updates-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-04-30}}</ref>
=== May 2020 ===
'''May&nbsp;2''': Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson announces that a federal team will be deployed in the city to quell quickly rising infection rates in the region.<ref name="FedsSendStrikeforce">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Ura |first1=Alexa |title=Feds send coronavirus strike force to Amarillo in response to outbreaks in meatpacking plants |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/02/amarillo-coronavirus-meatpacking/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-05-02}}</ref> The CDC assumes control of investigations and testing in the Amarillo area at Nelson's behest.<ref name="CDCOperationsAmarillo">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Hughes |first1=Brenda |title=Center for Disease Control and Prevention assuming COVID-19 operations in Amarillo |url=https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/center-for-disease-control-and-prevention-assuming-covid-19-operations-in-amarillo |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=KVII |date=2020-05-02 |location=Amarillo, Texas}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;5''': Abbott modifies his earlier reopening timetable, allowing barbershops, hairdressers, and nail salons to begin reopening on May&nbsp;8 while maintaining social distancing. Gyms and exercise facilities are allowed to reopen beginning May&nbsp;18 while operating at quarter occupancy.<ref name="ModificationsHairSalons">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Kamath |first1=Tulsi |title=Gov. Greg Abbott announces modifications to executive order, allows hair salons to reopen Friday |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2020/05/05/watch-today-gov-greg-abbott-holding-press-conference-on-texas-coronavirus-response-at-230-pm/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-05-05 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref> "Hybrid" [[graduation ceremony|graduation ceremonies]] are also permitted by the state while following social distancing guidelines.<ref name="TexasAllows2020Graduation">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Bell |first1=Jeff |title=Texas allows 2020 graduation ceremonies to go ahead, with restraints |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-coronavirus-greg-abbott-2020-high-school-graduation-ceremonies/269-457c0237-f0cc-44f5-935f-df2c5340e88f |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KVUE |publisher=KVUE-TV |date=2020-05-05 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> The governor also announces the implementation of "Surge Response Teams" for outbreaks arising during reopening.<ref name="HairNailSalonsCanReopen">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Governor Greg Abbott Says Hair & Nail Salons Can Reopen Friday, Gyms On May 18 |url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/05/05/governor-greg-abbott-texas-salons-reopen/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=CBSDFW.com |publisher=CBS Broadcasting |date=2020-05-05 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> The Texas Office of Court Administration provides guidance allowing courts to begin in-person non-jury proceedings on and after June&nbsp;1.<ref name="TXCourtsGuidanceJune1">{{#invoke:Cite web|| title=Guidance for All Court Proceedings During COVID-19 Pandemic (For Proceedings on or after June 1, 2020) |url=https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1446503/covid-19-june-1-guidance.pdf |publisher=Texas Judicial Branch |access-date=2020-07-08 |date=2020-05-05}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;6''': The state, in cooperation with the OneStar Foundation, initiates the Texas COVID Relief Fund as a mechanism for granting local organizations funds.<ref name="StateSetsUpFund">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Isenberg |first1=Sydney |title=State sets up COVID relief fund to help organizations supporting local communities |url=https://www.kxxv.com/rebound/making-ends-meet/state-sets-up-covid-relief-fund-to-help-organizations-supporting-local-communities |access-date=2020-05-06 |work=KXXV |publisher=Scripps Media |date=2020-05-06}}</ref> A $15&nbsp;million relief fund is approved by the Houston City Council to assist renters with overdue payments following wage losses.<ref name="Houston15MRentalAssistance">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Whalen |first1=Emma |title=Houston passes $15 million rental assistance program |url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/coronavirus/2020/05/06/houston-passes-15-million-rental-assistance-program/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Community Impact |date=2020-05-06}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;8''': The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities in Texas reported by the DSHS surpasses 1,000.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> Stay-at-home orders in Austin are extended to the end of May.<ref name="COVIDinTexas5-8">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: Austin extends stay-at-home orders to end of May |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/08/coronavirus-updates-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-05-08}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;11''': Following federal recommendations to test nursing home residents, Abbott mandates COVID-19 testing for all nursing home residents and personnel, covering approximately 230,000&nbsp;people.<ref name="AbbottTestingAllNursing">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Price |first1=Asher |title=Abbott orders testing of all nursing home residents and staffers |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200511/abbott-orders-testing-of-all-nursing-home-residents-and-staffers |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=2020-05-11 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> Local fire departments join the nursing home testing efforts four days later following a collaboration between several state agencies.<ref name="LocalTexasFireProvideTesting">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Turner |first1=Sammy |title=Local Texas fire departments to provide COVID-19 testing in nursing homes |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/fire-departments-covid-19-testing-nursing-homes/269-323b05eb-074b-40a6-b8f5-f651b36a5f9e |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KVUE |publisher=KVUE-TV |date=2020-05-15 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> San Antonio extends free COVID-19 testing to asymptomatic individuals.<ref name="COVIDinTexas5-11">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Coronavirus in Texas: San Antonio expands free testing to asymptomatic residents; state to test all nursing home residents |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/11/coronavirus-texas-more-400-cases-reported-federal-prison/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-05-11}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;12''': Abbott extends the ongoing disaster declaration for the state for a second time following its initial issuance on March&nbsp;13.<ref name="AbbottExtendsMay">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Falcon |first1=Russell |title=Gov. Abbott extends disaster declaration for all Texas counties |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/gov-abbott-extends-disaster-declaration-for-all-texas-counties/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-05-12 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is authorized by the USDA to provide $285 per child for families without access to free or discounted school meals due to COVID-19, amounting to over $1&nbsp;billion for the state in food benefits.<ref name="StateProvide1BillionFoodBenefits">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=State to provide over $1 billion in pandemic food benefits to Texas families |url=https://www.kltv.com/2020/05/12/state-provide-over-billion-pandemic-food-benefits-texas-families/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KLTV |date=2020-05-12 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> Texas Attorney General [[Ken Paxton]] pens letters to Bexar, Dallas, and Travis counties and the mayors of Austin and San Antonio calling their actions "strict and unconstitutional" warning them not to implement restrictions more stringent than the state.<ref name="AGWarnsCitiesStricter">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Axelrod |first1=Tal |title=Texas AG warns cities against enforcing stricter coronavirus restrictions than state |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/497445-texas-ag-warns-cities-against-enforcing-stricter-coronavirus |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Hill |date=2020-05-12}}</ref>
[[File:Texas National Guard (49904618723).jpg|thumb|Soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard were dispatched to disinfect nursing homes statewide on May&nbsp;13|alt=Two people in hazmat suits disinfecting surfaces at a nursing home]]
'''May&nbsp;13''': Members of the Texas National Guard are deployed to disinfect nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which at the time have accounted for 47&nbsp;percent of the state's deaths.<ref name="TNGDisinfectNursingHomes">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Cobler |first1=Nicole |title=Texas National Guard to disinfect nursing homes |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200513/texas-national-guard-to-disinfect-nursing-homes |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-05-13 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;16''': The DSHS reports 734&nbsp;new cases of COVID-19 in the Amarillo area following targeted testing of [[meatpacking]] facilities in the region carried out by a surge response team beginning on May&nbsp;4.<ref name="TexasReportsLargestSingleDay">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Klar |first1=Rebecca |title=Texas reports largest single-day jump in coronavirus cases |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/498214-texas-reports-largest-single-day-jump-in-coronavirus-cases |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Hill |publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing |date=2020-05-17}}</ref><ref name="MoreThan700Meatpacking">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Granham |first1=Juan Pablo |title=More than 700 new cases of coronavirus reported after testing at meatpacking plants in Amarillo region |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/16/700-new-coronavirus-cases-amarillo/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-05-16}}</ref> The influx of cases contributes to the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases in the state, with 1,801&nbsp;new cases.<ref name="TexasReportsLargestSingleDay" /> These findings lead to the shutdown of plants with outbreaks with positive-testing individuals isolated at nearby hotels.<ref name="Over700CasesConfirmedAmarillo">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Gov. Abbott: Over 700 COVID-19 cases confirmed in one day in Amarillo |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/05/16/gov-abbott-provides-details-on-increased-covid-19-cases-in-amarillo/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KSAT.com |date=2020-05-16}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;18''': Texas enters Phase 2 of the governor's reopening plan, allowing more businesses to open or increase their active capacity. The reopening phase also allows some businesses to open promptly;<ref name="TexasEnteredPhase2">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Rapaport |first1=Wes |last2=Thomas |first2=John |last3=Falcon |first3=Russell |last4=Adams |first4=Christopher |last5=Glynn |first5=Maggie |last6=Cho |first6=Yoojin |last7=Caprariello |first7=Alex |title=Texas has entered Phase 2 expansion for reopening businesses, Gov. Abbott announces |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/gov-abbotts-monday-announcement-details-states-continued-safe-and-strategic-reopening/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-05-18 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> these businesses include child care centers, gyms and exercise facilities, manufacturers, massage establishments, office buildings, and youth clubs.<ref name="WhatIsOpening" /> Restaurants are allowed to begin operating at 50&nbsp;percent capacity on May&nbsp;29.<ref name="TexasEnteredPhase2" /> Other businesses and activities are also given staggered reopening dates under the reopening plan out to June&nbsp;15.<ref name="WhatIsOpening">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Wilson |first1=Wes |title=What is opening in Texas and when? |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/what-is-opening-in-texas-and-when/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. |date=2020-05-19}}</ref> Abbott delays the reopening timetables in [[Deaf Smith County, Texas|Deaf Smith]], [[El Paso County, Texas|El Paso]], [[Moore County, Texas|Moore]], [[Potter County, Texas|Potter]], and [[Randall County, Texas|Randall]] counties by one week.<ref name="SeveralPanhandleReopenOneWeekBehind">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Johnson |first1=Kaitlin |title=Several Texas Panhandle counties to reopen one week behind the rest of Texas |url=https://www.newschannel10.com/2020/05/18/several-texas-panhandle-counties-reopen-one-week-behind-rest-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KFDA |date=2020-05-18 |location=Amarillo, Texas}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;21''': Texas Supreme Court Justice [[Debra Lehrmann]] tests positive for COVID-19, becoming the highest-ranking official with a reported positive test.<ref name="SCJTestsPositive">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Texas Supreme Court justice tests positive for coronavirus |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/texas-supreme-court-justice-tests-positive-coronavirus-70821960 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ABC News Internet |date=2020-05-21 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> All active air travel restrictions for travelers arriving in Texas are lifted by Abbott, ending the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine requirement.<ref name="AbbottLiftsRestrictionsTravelers">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fernández |first1=Stacy |title=Gov. Greg Abbott lifts coronavirus restrictions for travelers from New York, Georgia and other hot spots |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/21/texas-coronavirus-travel-restrictions/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-05-21}}</ref> Abbott also announces a phased opening of driver license offices beginning in early June following their closure in March.<ref name="DLOPhasedReopening">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Morris |first1=Allie |title=Texas driver's license offices to begin phased reopening in early June |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/05/21/texas-driver-license-offices-to-begin-phased-reopening-this-summer/ |access-date=2020-05-21 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-05-21}}</ref> The HHSC expands COVID-19 testing to all patients and personnel at its 23&nbsp;psychiatric hospitals and living centers; at that point, there were 161&nbsp;positive cases at those facilities with at least one case at seven facilities.<ref name="ExpandsTestingPsychiatric">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Stevenson |first1=Stefan |title=Texas expands coronavirus testing at state-run psychiatric hospitals and living centers |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/coronavirus/article242910666.html |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=2020-05-21}}</ref> [[CVS Pharmacy]] introduces COVID-19 testing at 44&nbsp;locations in the state.<ref name="44CVS">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Marfin |first1=Catherine |last2=Hoyt |first2=Joseph |title=Gov. Greg Abbott announces 44 new coronavirus testing sites at CVS locations across state, 16 in North Texas |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/05/21/gov-greg-abbott-announces-44-new-coronavirus-testing-sites-at-cvs-locations-across-state-16-in-north-texas/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-05-21 |location=Dallas, Texas}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;22''': Abbott issues an executive order to prohibit in-person visitation at all county and municipal jails in the state with the exception of meetings with attorneys or clergy.<ref name="AbbottSuspendsInpersonVisits">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Steele |first1=Tom |title=Abbott suspends in-person visits at Texas jails to contain spread of coronavirus |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/05/22/abbott-suspends-in-person-visits-at-texas-jails-to-contain-spread-of-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-05-22 |location=Dallas, Texas}}</ref>
'''May&nbsp;31''': The DSHS reports 1,949&nbsp;new cases of COVID-19, marking the highest daily total for May and setting a new record for highest daily case total since the beginning of the pandemic in Texas.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" />
=== June 2020 ===
'''June&nbsp;3''': Texas enters Phase&nbsp;3 of Abbott's reopening plan, allowing most businesses to increase maximum occupancy to 50&nbsp;percent. Restaurants are permitted to operate at 75&nbsp;percent capacity beginning June&nbsp;21 while outdoor college sports are allowed to resume immediately for the first time.<ref name="AlmostAllTexasBusinessAllowed">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Svitek |first1=Patrick |title=Almost all Texas businesses are allowed to open at 50% capacity, Gov. Greg Abbott says |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/03/texas-reopening-coronavirus-greg-abbott/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-06-03}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;8''': The DSHS reports 1,935&nbsp;active COVID-19 hospitalizations, marking the highest number since May&nbsp;5.<ref name="TexasReportsRecordBreakingHospitalizations">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Romo |first1=Vanessa |title=Texas Reports Record-Breaking COVID-19 Hospitalizations As State Reopens |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/06/08/872660425/texas-reports-record-breaking-covid-19-hospitalizations-as-state-reopens |access-date=2020-06-08 |work=NPR |date=2020-06-08}}</ref> TDEM begins to increase COVID-19 testing sites in minority communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic in [[Abilene, Texas|Abilene]], El Paso, Houston, Laredo, San Antonio, the [[Midland-Odessa metropolitan area]], the Rio Grande Valley, and the [[Texas Coastal Bend]]. Testing is also increased in cities with [[George Floyd protests in Texas|large protests]] following the [[murder of George Floyd]].<ref name="TexasIncreaseCOVIDMinority">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Weinberg |first1=Tessa |title=Texas to increase COVID testing in minority communities and cities with large protests |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/coronavirus/article243366926.html |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=2020-06-08}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;9''': COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state reach record-highs for the second consecutive day, with 2,153&nbsp;in total hospitalized on June&nbsp;9 representing a 42&nbsp;percent increase in hospitalizations since [[Memorial Day]].<ref name="TexansHospitalizedAllTimeHigh">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Najmabadi |first1=Shannon |title=Number of Texans hospitalized with coronavirus hits all-time high as experts say cases are likely to continue increasing |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/09/texas-coronavirus-reopening-surge-infections-hospitalizations/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-06-09}}</ref> The DSHS attributes the increase in part to outbreaks at state prisons and meatpacking plants.<ref name="COVID19CaseHospitalizationsRising">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Astudillo |first1=Carla |last2=McCullough |first2=Jolie |last3=Cai |first3=Mandi |title=In Texas, COVID-19 case totals and hospitalizations are rising. The state says prisons and meatpacking plants are key factors. |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/08/texas-coronavirus-cases-prisons-meatpacking-plants/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |date=2020-06-08}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;16''': The mayors of [[Arlington, Texas|Arlington]], Austin, Dallas, El Paso, [[Grand Prairie, Texas|Grand Prairie]], Fort Worth, [[Plano, Texas|Plano]], Houston, and San Antonio petition Abbott to allow local officials to mandate masks, stating that "a one-size-fits-all approach is not the best health policy" in a letter to Abbott.<ref name="TexasBigCityMayors">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Olivares |first1=Valeria |title=Texas' big-city mayors ask Gov. Greg Abbott for power to impose face mask rules |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/16/texas-mayors-greg-abbott-face-masks/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-06-16}}</ref><ref name="NineMayorsAskGovernor">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Homer |first1=Michelle |title=Nine Texas mayors ask governor to allow them to require masks |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/mayor-sylvester-turner-asks-gov-abbott-for-permission-to-require-masks-in-houston/285-0787547e-d3fa-45c9-abdc-9c5f9129a5f9 |access-date=2020-06-16 |work=KHOU |publisher=KHOU-TV |date=2020-06-16 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref> Increasing hospitalizations prompt the city of Austin and Travis County to prolong stay-at-home orders by a month.<ref name="AustinTravisCountyOrderExtended">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Rordiguez |first1=Candy |title=Austin-Travis County's Stay-at-Home Order extended as Texas continues to reopen |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/austin-travis-countys-stay-at-home-order-extended-as-texas-continues-to-reopen/ |access-date=2020-07-07 |work=KXAN |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting |date=2020-06-16 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;19''': The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Texas reported by the DSHS surpasses 100,000.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> A new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 2,947&nbsp;people, is set for the seventh consecutive day.<ref name="HosptializationsRecordHighsFullWeek">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Chmpagne |first1=Sarah R. |title=Texas Coronavirus Hospitalizations Hit Record Highs For A Full Week |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2020/06/19/376579/texas-coronavirus-hospitalizations-hit-record-highs-for-a-full-week/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Houston Public Media |publisher=University of Houston |date=2020-06-19 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;23''': The state reports more than 5,000&nbsp;new cases of COVID-19 in a single day for the first time, documenting 5,489. Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 also reach a record high with 4,092.<ref name="TexasSetsRecordsOnerous">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Heinz |first1=Frank |last2=Candace |first2=Sweat |title=Texas Sets Records for COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations; Gov. Warns of 'More Onerous Requirements' |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/texas-sets-records-for-new-covid-19-cases-hospitalizations-gov-warns-of-more-onerous-requirements/2394241/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=NBCDFW.com |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-06-23}}</ref> Abbott gives approval for mayors and county judges to enact restrictions on outdoor gatherings with more than 100&nbsp;people, reducing the size limit from 500. Abbott also indicates that respirator enforcement is within the purview of local officials.<ref name="TightensOutdoorGatheringRules">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Garrett |first1=Robert T. |title=As Texas hits all-time high in new COVID-19 cases, Gov. Greg Abbott tightens outdoor gathering rules |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/06/23/spread-is-so-rampant-texas-hits-all-time-high-of-more-than-5k-new-covid-19-cases-gov-greg-abbott-says/ |access-date=2020-06-23 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=2020-06-23 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> Abbott orders the HHSC to reinstate COVID-19 health and safety standards at child care centers, reversing the agency's lifting of those requirements on June&nbsp;12.<ref name="AbbottAllowsOversight">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Weinberg |first1=Tessa |title=As COVID spreads, Abbott allows more oversight on gatherings, enacts child care rules |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article243747277.html |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=2020-06-24 |location=Fort Worth, Texas}}</ref><ref name="HHSRepealEmergency">{{#invoke:Cite web||title=Notice to Child Care Providers: Repeal of Emergency Rules |url=https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2020/06/notice-child-care-providers-repeal-emergency-rules |publisher=Texas Health and Human Services Commission |access-date=2020-07-08 |date=2020-06-16 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107003525/https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2020/06/notice-child-care-providers-repeal-emergency-rules |url-status=dead }}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;24''': The seven-day average positivity rate—the ratio of positive cases of COVID-19 to tests conducted—rises above 10&nbsp;percent, reaching levels unseen since mid-April and reaching a threshold Abbott referred to as a "red flag" in early May.<ref name="PositiveRateExceedsWarningFlag">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Champagne |first1=Sarah R. |last2=Najmabadi |first2=Shannon |title=Texas' coronavirus positivity rate exceeds "warning flag" level Abbott set as businesses reopened |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/24/texas-coronavirus-infection-rate/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-06-24}}</ref><ref name="PositivtyRateBreakingDown">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Goudeau |first1=Ashley |title=Positivity rate: Breaking down the metric Gov. Abbott is using to reopen Texas |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/positivity-rate-breaking-down-the-metric-gov-abbott-is-using-to-reopen-texas/269-70ed051c-e2c6-487d-a43c-d9c1bb8ce4e6 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=KVUE |publisher=KVUE-TV |date=2020-05-06 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> Connecticut, [[New Jersey]], and New York announce a "joint travel advisory" mandating quarantines for travelers arriving from Texas and seven other states.<ref name="NYImposeQuarantine">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Goodman |first1=J. David |title=N.Y. Will Impose Quarantine on Visitors From States With Big Outbreaks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/nyregion/ny-coronavirus-states-quarantine.html |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The New York Times  |date=2020-06-24}}</ref> The TDEM and [[Texas Military Department]] begins distributing 3-ply masks freely to people testing at state-run mobile testing sites.<ref name="TexasStartFreeSurgical">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Tracy |first1=Gerald |title=Texas to start handing out free surgical masks at state-run COVID-19 testing sites |url=https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/texas-to-start-handing-out-free-surgical-masks-at-state-run-covid-19-testing-sites |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=News4SA |date=2020-06-24 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;25''': A record-high number of new COVID-19 cases, 5,996, is set for the third consecutive day in Texas; the three days contribute over 17,000&nbsp;cases to the cumulative case count.<ref name="ReopeningOnPauseVirusSoar">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Vertuno |first1=Jim |last2=Weber |first2=Paul J. |title=Texas putting reopening on 'pause' as virus cases soar |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/texas-putting-reopening-pause-virus-cases-soar-71451652 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=ABC News |date=2020-06-25 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref><ref name="Nearly6K">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Kamath |first1=Tulsi |title=With nearly 6,000 new coronavirus cases reported in Texas Thursday, the 3-day total surpasses 17K |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/06/26/with-nearly-6000-new-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-texas-thursday-the-3-day-total-surpasses-17k/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-06-25 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref> The [[Texas Medical Center]], the largest medical center in the world, reports 100&nbsp;percent occupancy of its standard [[intensive care unit]] capacity, forcing the center to begin utilizing auxiliary "surge capacity".<ref name="100PercentICUTMC">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Alexander |first1=Chloe |last2=Homer |first2=Michelle |last3=Costa |first3=Chris |title=100 percent of regular ICU beds in Texas Medical Center occupied, but hospitals have space for surge |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/houston-hospitals-ceo-provide-update-on-bed-capacity-amid-surge-in-covid-19-cases/285-a5178aa2-a710-49db-a107-1fd36cdf4cf3 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=KHOU |publisher=KHOU-TV |date=2020-06-25 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref> Abbott pauses the reopening of the businesses in the state as hospitalizations deaths and new COVID-19 cases begin to quickly rise, though prior relaxations of COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.<ref name="TexasPausesReopening">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Siemaszko |first1=Corky |title=Texas pauses reopening as hospitals inundated with 'explosion' of COVID-19 cases |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-governor-pauses-state-s-reopening-due-spike-new-covid-n1232118 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=NBC News |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-06-25}}</ref><ref name="PauseReopeningBansElectiveSurgeries">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Champagne |first1=Sarah R. |title=Gov. Greg Abbott pauses Texas' reopening, bans elective surgeries in four counties to preserve bed space for coronavirus patients |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/25/texas-elective-surgeries-coronavirus-greg-abbott/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-06-25}}</ref> Elective medical procedures are banned by the governor in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis Counties to reduce pressure on hospital capacity.<ref name="PauseReopeningBansElectiveSurgeries" />
'''June&nbsp;26''': Abbott begins rolling back some of the lifted restrictions from his earlier state reopening plan, issuing an executive order that promptly closes bars except for takeout and curbside pickup and closes rafting and tubing businesses in addition to restricting indoor dining at restaurants to 50&nbsp;percent capacity. The order also requires most outdoor gatherings with at least 100&nbsp;people to seek approval by local governments.<ref name="TexasRollsBackReopening">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Higgins-Dunn |first1=Noah |title=Texas rolls back its reopening a day after pausing plans as coronavirus cases rise |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/26/texas-rolls-back-its-reopening-a-day-after-pausing-plans-as-coronavirus-cases-rise.html |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=CNBC |date=2020-06-26}}</ref> Harris County Judge [[Lina Hidalgo]] evaluates the county as having reached the highest threat level, indicating a "severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19", and calls for the reinstatement of a stay-at-home order for the county in addition to prohibiting outdoor gatherings with more than 100&nbsp;people in unincorporated parts of the county.<ref name="HidalgoUrgesStayHome">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=McGuinness |first1=Dylan |last2=Despart |first2=Zach |title=Hidalgo urges Harris County, now at highest threat level, to stay home as COVID-19 surges |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/harris-county-hidalgo-threat-level-stay-at-home-15368478.php |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-06-26 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref><ref name="TexasGovernorRollsBackReopening">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Ansari |first1=Talal |last2=Armour |first2=Stephanie |last3=Leary |first3=Alex |title=Texas Governor Rolls Back Reopening as U.S. Coronavirus Cases Hit Record |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-06-26-2020-11593159630 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=2020-06-26}}</ref><ref name="HidalgoStayHomeWorkSafeAdvisory">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Homer |first1=Michelle |title=Red level l {{pipe}} Harris County Judge Hidalgo announces new Stay Home Work Safe advisory |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/new-stay-home-work-safe-order-to-be-announced-as-harris-county-moves-to-covid-19-level-1/285-778b3e40-ef57-4de2-9e6c-cc4fddd10359 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=KHOU |publisher=KHOU-TV |date=2020-06-26 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref> [[Tarrant County]] begins mandating face masks at all businesses.<ref name="TarrantCountyRequireMask">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Tinsley |first1=Anna M. |title=Tarrant County will require face masks at all businesses amid surge of COVID-19 cases |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/coronavirus/article243787272.html |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=2020-06-26}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;27''': Austin Mayor Adler reports that the Greater Austin metropolitan area has the highest positivity rate for COVID-19 tests of any metropolitan area in the U.S. over the preceding week.<ref name="AustinHighest7DayMetro">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Osbourne |first1=Heather |title=Adler: Austin has nation's highest 7-day metro positivity rate of coronavirus tests |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200627/adler-austin-has-nationrsquos-highest-7-day-metro-positivity-rate-of-coronavirus-tests |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-06-27 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> San Antonio sends an emergency alert urging residents in San Antonio and Bexar County to stay home after the city reports a record 795&nbsp;new cases of COVID-19.<ref name="SanAntonioStayHomeAlert">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Salinas |first1=Rebecca |title=San Antonio issues 'stay home' alert as 795 COVID-19 cases reported Saturday, a daily high |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/06/28/san-antonio-issues-stay-home-alert-as-795-cases-reported-saturday-a-daily-high/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=KSAT.com |date=2020-06-27 |location=San Antonio, Texas}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;29''': Texas Medical Center (TMC) hospitals revised their calculation of ICU bed capacity, including other TMC hospital beds that can be converted into ICU beds and reassigning staff and equipment. This reduced TMC's total ICU usage on Sunday from 93% to 72%.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Morris |first1=Mike |last2=Despart |first2=Zach  |date=June 28, 2020 |title=Claiming confusion, Texas Medical Center changes how it reports ICU capacity amid COVID-19 |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-hospitals-hit-100-base-ICU-capacity-15372256.php |url-status=live |work=[[Houston Chronicle]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708071036/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-hospitals-hit-100-base-ICU-capacity-15372256.php |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> TMC provided an overview of their current ICU bed usage and capacity.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite web|| url=https://www.tmc.edu/coronavirus-updates/overview-of-tmc-icu-bed-capacity-and-occupancy/ |title=Overview Of TMC ICU Bed Capacity And Occupancy |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=June 27, 2020 |website=tmc.edu |publisher=[[Texas Medical Center]] |access-date=June 29, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629145323/https://www.tmc.edu/coronavirus-updates/overview-of-tmc-icu-bed-capacity-and-occupancy/ |archive-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref>
'''June&nbsp;30''': The DSHS reports 6,975 new cases of COVID-19, marking the highest daily total for June and setting a new record for the highest daily case total since the beginning of the pandemic in Texas.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> Abbott extends bans on elective medical procedures to [[Cameron County, Texas|Cameron]], [[Hidalgo County, Texas|Hidalgo]], [[Nueces County, Texas|Nueces]], and [[Webb County, Texas|Webb]] counties.<ref name="ReportsRecordNumberExtendsBan">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Higgins-Dunn |first1=Noah |title=Texas reports record number of new coronavirus cases, extends ban on elective surgeries |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/30/texas-reports-record-number-of-new-coronavirus-cases-extends-surgery-ban.html |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=CNBC |date=2020-06-30}}</ref> The Harris County Commission votes to extend the county's COVID-19 disaster declaration, which includes mandatory mask usage, to August&nbsp;26.<ref name="HarrisCountyExtendDisasterDeclaration">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Rhodes |first1=Syan |last2=Hernandez |first2=Cathy |title=Harris County Commissioners vote 3-2 to extend disaster declaration, including mask order, until Aug. 26 |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/06/30/county-commissioners-deciding-whether-to-extend-disaster/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Click2Houston.com |date=2020-06-30 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref>
=== July 2020 ===
'''July&nbsp;1''': The DSHS records record-high cases and hospitalizations for the second consecutive day. The new cases are predominantly among younger cohorts and outbreaks at child care facilities.<ref name="TexasHitsRecord8K">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Cobler |first1=Nicole |title=Texas hits record 8,000 new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations near 7,000 |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200701/texas-hits-record-8000-new-coronavirus-cases-hospitalizations-near-7000 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-07-01 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]], one of the largest annual music festivals in the U.S., is canceled.<ref name="ACLCanceledVirusSurges">{{#invoke:Cite news|| title=Austin City Limits music festival canceled as virus surges |url=https://apnews.com/c963ad3e1ba2a7e3446128adcba2ebb9 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Associated Press |date=2020-07-01 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref>
'''July&nbsp;2''': Abbott mandates the wearing of face coverings in public spaces through an executive order, stating that it is "one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19."<ref name="GovernorMandatesMaskWearing">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Siemaszko |first1=Corky |title=Texas governor mandates mask-wearing across most of state as coronavirus cases surge |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-governor-mandates-mask-wearing-across-most-state-coronavirus-cases-n1232845 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=NBC News |publisher=NBC Universal |date=2020-07-02}}</ref> The order also stipulates a written and oral warning for first-time violations of the mask mandate and fines of up to $250 for each subsequent violation. Counties with 20 or fewer active cases of COVID-19 are allowed to opt-out of the order.<ref name="AbbottOrdersTexansMostCountiesMasks">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Svitek |first1=Patrick |title=Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texans in most counties to wear masks in public |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/02/texas-mask-order-greg-abbott-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-07-02}}</ref> Children younger than 10 years old, people with an interfering medical condition are exempted from the order, as well as people attending church, voting at polling places, or exercising outdoors.<ref name="AbbottOrdersTexansMostCountiesMasks" /><ref name="ExemptsVotingSitesChurches">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Svitek |first1=Patrick |title=Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's statewide mask mandate exempts voting sites and churches |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/03/texas-mask-order-voting-chruches-greg-abbott/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-07-03}}</ref> Austin Mayor Adler issues an executive order, restricting gatherings with more than 10&nbsp;people outside of child-care services, religious gatherings, and recreational sports.<ref name="AdlerBansSocial10">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Jankowski |first1=Philip |title=Adler bans social gatherings of more than 10 people amid coronavirus spike |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200703/adler-bans-social-gatherings-of-more-than-10-people-amid-coronavirus-spike |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-07-03 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref>
'''July&nbsp;4''': The state sets a record for new COVID-19 cases in a single day, with 8,258, and a record for active COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 7,890; the latter represents the sixth consecutive day of increasing hospitalizations statewide.<ref name="SetsCoronavriusRecords8258">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Hall |first1=Katie |title=Texas sets coronavirus records: 8,258 new cases, numbers in hospital reach all-time highs |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200704/texas-sets-coronavirus-records-8258-new-cases-numbers-in-hospital-reach-all-time-highs |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=2020-07-04 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref> Parks and beaches throughout the state remain closed for the [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] weekend.<ref name="BexarAheadFourthJuly">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Sabawi |first1=Fares |title=Coronavirus update San Antonio, July 1: Bexar County parks will close ahead of Fourth of July |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/07/02/coronavirus-update-san-antonio-july-1-bexar-county-parks-will-close-ahead-of-fourth-of-july/ |access-date=2020-07-01 |work=KSAT.com |date=2020-07-01 |location=San Antonio, Texas}}</ref><ref name="GalvestonBeachesCloseJuly4th">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Powell |first1=Nick |title=Galveston beaches to close for July 4th weekend amid sharp rise in COVID-19 cases |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/galveston/article/galveston-beach-close-fourth-of-july-coronavirus-15380533.php |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Hearst |date=2020-07-02 |location=Houston, Texas}}</ref><ref name="BeachesTexasAnnounceClosures">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Mitchell |first1=Lauren |title=Beaches across Texas coast announce closures ahead of Fourth of July |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200702/beaches-across-texas-coast-announce-closures-ahead-of-fourth-of-july |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Austin American-Statesman  |date=2020-07-02 |location=Austin, Texas}}</ref>
'''July&nbsp;6''': Fifty staff and parishioners at the [[Calvary Chapel]] in [[Universal City, Texas|Universal City]] tested positive for COVID-19 after weeks of holding services while following “the letter of the law” about reopening. Pastor Ron Arbaugh, who tested positive along with his wife, took responsibility for allowing parishioners to hug inside the church.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite news|| author=Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje |date=July 6, 2020 |title=Coronavirus outbreak closes church in Universal City that once again allowed hugging |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Coronavirus-outbreak-closes-church-in-Universal-15389982.php |url-status=live |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708074654/https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Coronavirus-outbreak-closes-church-in-Universal-15389982.php |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2020 }}</ref>
'''July&nbsp;7''': Over 10,000&nbsp;new cases of COVID-19 are confirmed for the first time, surpassing the previous record set on July&nbsp;4. The day ends with a record-high number of hospitalizations for the tenth-straight day, with 9,268&nbsp;COVID-19 hospitalizations. The DSHS also reports the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 fatalities with 60, breaking a record set on May&nbsp;14.<ref name="MoreThan10K">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Higgins-Dunn |first1=Noah |title=Texas says new coronavirus cases jumped by more than 10,000 for the first time |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/07/texas-says-new-coronavirus-cases-jumped-by-more-than-10000-for-the-first-time.html |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=CNBC |date=2020-07-07}}</ref><ref name="WorstDayYetJuly7">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Reimann |first1=Nicholas |title=Worst Day Yet: Texas Sets Records For Coronavirus Deaths, Hospitalizations And New Cases |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/07/07/worst-day-yet-texas-sets-records-for-coronavirus-deaths-hospitalizations-and-new-cases/#184280f4766d |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Forbes |date=2020-07-07}}</ref> The [[State Fair of Texas]], typically scheduled for the fall, is canceled for the first time since [[World War II]].<ref name="StateFairOfTexasCanceled">{{#invoke:Cite news|| last1=Fernández |first1=Stacy |title=State Fair of Texas canceled for 2020 because of coronavirus |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/07/texas-state-fair-canceled-coronavirus/ |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2020-07-07}}</ref>
'''July 8:''' Recorded daily fatalities increased to a new high of 98, from the previous day's record of 60. Current infection rates will produce daily fatalities from 200 to 300 in about two weeks (if the growth will not accelerate more).{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
'''July 9:''' Number of recorded daily fatalities rises above 100 for the first time.
'''July 13:''' Number of new case continues to rise rapidly. The severity is expected to maintain in the Central, South and West counties while cooling off in the North. Averaged new case per day in Dallas expects to rise an extra 116 in two weeks after July 13.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=15 July 2020|title=COVID-19 County Projections|url=https://itsonit.com|website=Pandemic Central}}</ref>
'''July 15:'''  Texas set a record for new cases statewide reaching 10,975 new cases on July 15; this contributed to 289,837 total cases in Texas, including 105 deaths, with numbers in the nation's fourth largest city, Houston, reaching 32,695, including 304 deaths.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=17 July 2020|title=2019 Novel Coronavirus: July 17|url=https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Resources/2019-Novel-Coronavirus|access-date=17 July 2020|website=Harris County Public Health}}</ref> While being the "largest concentration" of people in Texas, Houston and Harris county in total are keeping an average number of infection and fatalities per capita.
'''July 17:''' 14,916 new infection cases and 174 covid-related fatalities are added. Total number of recorded infection cases has grown above 300,000. Accumulation of cases from 200,000 to 300,000 cases took 10 days. Previous 100,000 added cases took place over 17 days. 85 infants under the age of one year old test positive in Nueces County. During the previous week, 328 people tested positive for COVID-19 out of 860 tests in Nueces County, a 38% positivity rate.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite news|| last=McNamara |first=Audrey |date=July 20, 2020 |title=85 infants in one Texas county test positive for coronavirus |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-texas-85-infants-test-positive/ |url-status=live |work=[[CBS News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724080131/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-texas-85-infants-test-positive/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref>
'''July 19''': Governor Abbott announces that five [[United States Navy]] teams would be deployed to hospitals in [[Harlingen, Texas|Harlingen]], [[Del Rio, Texas|Del Rio]], [[Eagle Pass, Texas|Eagle Pass]], and [[Rio Grande City, Texas|Rio Grande City]]. In the [[Lower Rio Grande Valley|Rio Grande Valley]], ambulance operators attempting to deliver patients to emergency rooms reported waiting up to ten hours.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite news|| url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/19/texas-coronavirus-hot-spots-navy-rio-grande-valley/ |title=Five U.S. Navy teams deploy to Rio Grande Valley, other Texas coronavirus hot spots |first=Stacy |last=Fernández |date=July 19, 2020 |website=texastribune.org |publisher=[[The Texas Tribune]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721205337/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/19/texas-coronavirus-hot-spots-navy-rio-grande-valley/ |archive-date=July 21, 2020}}</ref>
'''July 20''': Texas comptroller predicts $4.6 billion budget shortfall due to coronavirus.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/coronavirus-live-updates-news-houston-area-15419818.php|title=Houston coronavirus updates: July 20|first1=Brooke A.|last1=Lewis|first2=Julian|last2=Gill|date=July 20, 2020|newspaper=Houston Chronicle}}</ref>
'''July 22:''' A new highest fatalities per day, with 197 deaths reported; The Department of State Health Services also reported 9,879 new cases in Texas.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=July 22 COVID-19 case totals: Texas sets single-day record with 197 deaths reported|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-numbers/july-22-covid-19-case-totals-texas-sets-single-day-record-with-197-deaths-reported/285-aa2acebe-3e0e-4742-812b-86a36655945c|access-date=2020-07-25|website=khou.com|date=July 22, 2020 }}</ref>
'''July 23:''' Starr County Memorial Hospital, the only hospital in a county of roughly 64,700 people, formed an ethics committee and triage committee to determine which sick patients would be treated locally, which would be transferred to other hospitals, and which would be sent home to die.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite news|| last=Cohen |first=Li |date=July 23, 2020 |title=A Texas county's only hospital forced to choose "who is sent home to die" as ICU beds near capacity |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/karenrobinsonjacobs/2020/07/24/small-texas-hospital-says-ethics-panel-will-help-pick-who-gets-aggressive-covid-care/ |url-status=live |work=[[CBS News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910200336/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/starr-county-only-hospital-forced-to-choose-who-is-sent-home-to-die-as-icu-beds-reach-capacity/ |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite news|| last=Robinson-Jacobs |first=Karen |date=July 24, 2020 |title='Ethics' Panel In Covid Cases Will Help Pick Who Gets Aggressive Care, Texas Hospital Says |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/karenrobinsonjacobs/2020/07/24/small-texas-hospital-says-ethics-panel-will-help-pick-who-gets-aggressive-covid-care/ |url-status=dead |work=[[Forbes]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910172327/https://www.forbes.com/sites/karenrobinsonjacobs/2020/07/24/small-texas-hospital-says-ethics-panel-will-help-pick-who-gets-aggressive-covid-care/ |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020 }}</ref>
'''July 24:''' Data including numbers culled from Texas Department of State Health Services by The Texas Tribune marked 10,036 hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses and 369,826 reported cases in 250 counties.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=2020-05-04|title=UPDATED FRIDAY: This is what the coronavirus curve and hospitalization rate in Texas looks like right now|url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/05/04/are-texas-coronavirus-cases-on-the-downturn-these-charts-tell-the-real-story/|access-date=2020-07-25|website=KPRC}}</ref>
'''July 25:''' For the fourth day, Texas continues to lead in the number of Covid-deaths among US states. Also, its 1,020 reported deaths in a week (1/6 of the US number) is higher than 882 in Florida, 652 in California or 67 in New York.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}
'''July 27:''' On this date, DSHS announced that due to a recent change in their reporting system an "automation error" caused 225 deaths in Texas this week to be incorrectly reported as COVID-19 deaths.  DSHS corrected this error, reducing the official death toll on July 27 from 675 to 451, on July 28 from 164 to 161, and on July 29 from 313 to 302.<ref name="Automation Error">{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/automation-error-led-to-higher-covid-19-fatality-count-this-week-texas-dshs-says/2417282/|title=Automation Error Led to Higher COVID-19 Fatality Count This Week, Texas DSHS Says|date=July 30, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> The correctly reported 451 deaths on July 27 was nonetheless the largest single day COVID-19 death toll in Texas to date.
'''July 29:''' The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Texas surpassed 6,000 and the total number of detected infections exceeded 400,000 cases.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" />  Congressional Representative [[Louie Gohmert]] (R) from Texas, who is opposed to wearing masks, became infected.
=== August 2020 ===
'''August 3:''' No deaths were reported by the Texas DSHS, the state agency is increasing lapsing and reporting delays
'''August 11:''' Texas became the third state in the U.S. after California and Florida to exceed 500,000 in total number of reported cases.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Aug. 11 COVID-19 case count: Texas surpasses 500,000 total cases|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-numbers/august-11-covid-19-case-count-texas-surpasses-500000-total-cases/285-1c93e9b1-5f50-408e-8da6-41def47bc493|website=KHOU-11|date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=August 11, 2020}}</ref>  On a per capita basis Texas ranks 12th among US states, with Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, Mississippi and Georgia leading the list.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109004/coronavirus-covid19-cases-rate-us-americans-by-state/|title=U.S. COVID-19 case rate by state|website=Statista}}</ref>
'''August 12:''' DSHS reports 322 COVID-19 deaths, August's highest daily death toll.
'''August 14:''' The [[Houston Texans]] announce that there would be no fans at [[NRG Stadium]] during their home opener on September 20.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-announce-nrg-stadium-will-not-host-fans-for-first-home-game |title=Houston Texans Announce NRG Stadium will Not Host Fans for First Home Game |date=Aug 14, 2020 |website=www.houstontexans.com}}</ref>
'''August 17:''' DSHS reported COVID-19 deaths in Texas now exceed 10,000, doubling in just 23 days.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" />
'''August 27:''' DSHS reported COVID-19 deaths in Texas now exceed 12,000.
=== September 2020 ===
'''September 1:''' During August, 5,844 COVID-assigned death cases were added by Texas DSFS (this is 55% more than in California and twice more per capita; and 35 times more than in New York, which was heavily hit in the beginning), as compared to 4,356 for July. The total death toll before July was 2,481.
'''September 23:''' By September 23, college towns in Texas have become new hot spots. Cases rose among students as university administrators struggled with how to keep infections from spreading beyond the university. The spread is believed to be driven by off-campus parties. [[Texas Tech]] parties have been posted to social media and are under investigation by university officials. The school has reported over 1,400 COVID cases. Other metrics like daily hospitalizations have been decreasing but some counties report a "mild uptick" since students have returned to campus.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/09/22/texas-coronavirus-universities/|title=As Texas college towns emerge as coronavirus hot spots, universities try to keep students from infecting locals|first=Emma Platoff, Shawn Mulcahy and Anna|last=Novak|date=September 22, 2020|website=The Texas Tribune}}</ref>
=== October 2020 ===
'''October 29:''' Larger hospitals in Lubbock, Amarillo and El Paso did not have space available to accept transfers of seriously ill Covid patients from rural areas.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:cite web||last=Walters|first=Edgar|date=2020-10-29|title=Texas' new coronavirus surge is leaving critically sick patients stranded in rural areas, hospitals say|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/29/texas-coronavirus-rural-hospitals/|access-date=2020-10-31|website=The Texas Tribune}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{#invoke:cite web||last=Aguilar|first=Julián|date=2020-10-30|title=El Paso County's judge has ordered nonessential businesses to close to slow coronavirus spread. The Texas attorney general says he can't do that.|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/29/el-paso-coronavirus-shutdown/|access-date=2020-10-31|website=The Texas Tribune}}</ref>
=== November 2020 ===
'''November 10:''' [[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]] had 1,076 hospitalized cases, which occupied half of all patient beds in the city.  University Medical Center set up tents in a parking lot to care for patients, and a downtown convention center became a field hospital. Other locations in Texas sent 1,400 health care workers to El Paso, and 60 health care workers in three teams from the Defense Department had arrived. Six more mobile morgues were added, for a total of ten. A two-week partial lockdown order, set to expire on the 11th, had been met with mayoral opposition and inconsistent enforcement, and had not reduced hospitalizations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Goodman|first=J. David|date=2020-11-11|title=As Hospitalizations Soar, El Paso Brings In New Mobile Morgues|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/10/us/coronavirus-hospitalizations-el-paso-texas.html|access-date=2020-11-11|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
'''November 21:''' According to Texas Department of State Health Services the number of new infections began to exceed 12,000 per day. Fatalities have also increased. In spite of common-sense expectations, infection and death rates are already substantially higher in rural counties, and the difference with main metro areas is increasing. For instance, counties Hale, Lamb and Hockey (north and west of Lubbock) recorded together 164 fatalities, which is very close to 163 in Williamson (north part of Austin metro). However, the population in Williamson county is about 590,000, which is much higher than the roughly 72,000 population for those three counties combined (Hale, Lamb, Hockey).
'''November 25:''' The number of daily-added new infections for the first time became higher than 15 thousand, after exceeding 14 thousand just yesterday, on November 24.
'''November 26:''' Returning to the shown for November 21 comparison between rural and metro areas: according to Texas DSHS in 5 days between November 21 and 26 the mentioned three counties added 18 death cases, while Williamson county added only 2, and this calculates as roughly 50-fold difference in the current death rate per capita.
=== January 2021 ===
'''January 1:''' December became the first month with more than six thousand COVID-related fatalities<ref name=":13">{{#invoke:cite web||title=ArcGIS Dashboards|url=https://txdshs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ed483ecd702b4298ab01e8b9cafc8b83|access-date=2021-01-25|website=txdshs.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> according to accumulated data from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS).
'''January 7:''' A confirmed case of a new, more contagious SARS-CoV-2 [[Variant of Concern 202012/01|variant]] from the United Kingdom was reported in Texas. The patient is resident of [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] with no travel history.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2021/01/07/health-officials-confirm-first-known-case-of-uk-covid-19-variant-in-texas/|title=Health Officials Confirm First Known Case Of UK COVID-19 Variant In Texas|publisher=KTVT-TV|date=January 7, 2021|access-date=January 8, 2021}}</ref>
'''January 12:''' As reported by Texas DSHS, the number of COVID-related fatalities exceeded 30 thousand, and is above 1/1000 amount total population.<ref name=":13"/> The fatalities (and likely infection spread) continue to be very different between metro and rural areas. While major metro counties, like Harris and Dallas, have fatality around 1/1200, less populated areas show substantially higher death rate. For instance, Lamb county has recently exceeded 0.5% (1/200) fatality rate, and on the date is already well above one fatality per 180 population.
'''January 13:''' For the first time Texas DSHS reported more than 400 new daily fatalities.<ref name=":13"/>
'''January 20:''' A new daily fatalities highest count 450, as reported by Texas DSHS. The weekly record (last 7 days) arrived at 2,220.<ref name=":13"/>{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
'''January 23:''' Texas DSHS states via press release that 332,750 COVID-19 vaccine doses will be distributed to 212 healthcare providers.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:cite web||title=Texas Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation for Week of Jan. 25|url=https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2021/20210123.aspx|access-date=2021-01-25|website=www.dshs.texas.gov}}</ref> An additional 216,350 doses have been ordered in advance to provide the public who received the first vaccine, the required second dose.<ref name=":0" />
'''January 24:''' Texas Tribune reports 34,322 COVID-19 related fatalities have occurred in Texas.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=2020-04-14|title=As deaths due to COVID-19 rise, Texas health officials issue dire warning|url=https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2020/texas-coronavirus-cases-map/|access-date=2021-01-25|website=The Texas Tribune}}</ref>
'''January 25:''' Texas Department of State Health Services data shows that 265,786 people have been fully vaccinated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Workbook: COVID-19 Vaccine in Texas (Dashboard)|url=https://tabexternal.dshs.texas.gov/t/THD/views/COVID-19VaccineinTexasDashboard/Summary?:origin=card_share_link&:embed=y&:isGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y|access-date=2021-01-25|website=tabexternal.dshs.texas.gov}}</ref> The CDC states the 7-day moving average of fatalities is 326.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=CDC|date=2020-03-28|title=COVID-19 Cases, Deaths, and Trends in the US {{!}} CDC COVID Data Tracker|url=https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention}}</ref>
'''January 28:''' A new highest fatality record, 471, was added by Texas DSHS on the day, after previous highest addition of 467 on January 27. However, with accelerating vaccinations of the most vulnerable populations this may hopefully become the last such "record."
'''January 31:''' In January (in 31 days) Texas DSHS reported 9,054 COVID-19 related fatalities. It is 1.5 times more than the previous highest number recorded just in the previous month, December 2020.
=== February 2021 ===
'''February 3:''' Texas DSHS reports 13,181 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and 418 newly reported fatalities.<ref name="DSHS_Dashboard" /> The rates of confirmed cases and hospitalizations has gone down. In January 2021, the state reached over 2 million cases of COVID-19 according to the ''Texas Tribune''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=2020-04-14|title=COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations decreasing after record highs in January|url=https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2020/texas-coronavirus-cases-map/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=The Texas Tribune}}</ref>
'''February 5:''' Texas DSHS reported 2,140 COVID-related fatalities during last 7 days. This is lower as compared to 2,281 in the 7 days proceeding this  week (the highest number), and even lower than 2,257 in 7 days earlier. The decline may be a result of vaccination. However, vaccination per capita in Texas is proceeding slower than the average within the USA, and substantially lower than in all four states bordering Texas according tо U.S. CDC.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=2021-02-05|title=US Vaccinations from CDC|url=https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations}}</ref> The slower rate of the vaccination campaign in Texas is likely a result of the current failing state administration, but vaccines provided directly to counties and health providers may resolve this.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
'''February 11–14:''' A severe winter weather storm brought ice and snow conditions to much of the state creating delays in many people's ability to go out and receive the COVID-19 vaccination.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=SALTER|first=JIM|date=2021-02-12|title=Winter weather is latest snag for lagging vaccine rollout|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Winter-weather-is-latest-snag-for-vaccine-rollout-15943851.php|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> On February 12, Governor Greg Abbott declared the storm a disaster and stated that the freezing temperatures and rain could pose severe threats to property, livestock, and lives.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Abbott|first=Greg|date=February 12, 2021|title=Proclamation by the Governor of the State of Texas|url=https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/DISASTER_severe_weather_FINAL_02-12-2021.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Governor Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration, Continues To Deploy Resources As Severe Winter Weather Impacts Texas|url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-issues-disaster-declaration-continues-to-deploy-resources-as-severe-winter-weather-impacts-texas|access-date=2021-02-14|website=gov.texas.gov}}</ref>
'''February 15:''' With the intense cold and ice much of Texas lost power critically impacting the health care centers storing vaccines in freezers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=2021-02-16|title=Texas winter storm leaves two dead and millions without power|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/16/texas-weather-snow-storm-latest-news-power-outages-deaths|access-date=2021-02-16|website=the Guardian}}</ref> Harris county delivered 5,410 doses of the vaccination to organizations they could safely travel to via frozen and icy roads.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Texas officials scramble to administer 5,000 COVID vaccines after power loss|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-officials-scramble-administer-8000-covid-vaccines-power/story?id=75911159|access-date=2021-02-16|website=ABC News}}</ref>
'''February 16:''' Texas DSHS reports 2,981 new coronavirus infections.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=ArcGIS Dashboards|url=https://txdshs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ed483ecd702b4298ab01e8b9cafc8b83|access-date=2021-02-16|website=txdshs.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> [[The Texas Tribune]] states that overall vaccine doses have increased during the last week citing that 4.1% of Texans have now received both doses of the vaccine to become fully vaccinated.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:cite web||date=2020-04-14|title=Coronavirus has killed more than 40,000 Texans|url=https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2020/texas-coronavirus-cases-map/|access-date=2021-02-16|website=The Texas Tribune}}</ref> The numbers of new cases of coronavirus infection, hospitalizations, and average new deaths credited to the Sars-CoV-2 disease have decreased in Texas.<ref name=":4" /> USA Today reports that the 400,000 vials of vaccine Texas was meant to receive this week will be delayed due to poor road conditions until February 17.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||first1=John|last1=Bacon|first2=Elinor|last2=Aspegren|title=Biden says US will surpass goal of 100 million shots in 100 days; storm delays vaccinations: Latest COVID-19 updates.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/02/16/covid-news-winter-storm-vaccine-texas-florida-coronavirus/6757208002/|access-date=2021-02-16|website=USA TODAY}}</ref> The weather is causing many vaccination drives across the state in large cities and rural ones to cease operating as it's unsafe for the public to travel.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Winter Storm Disrupts COVID-19 Vaccinations, Closing Clinics And Delaying Shipments|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/16/968364404/winter-storm-disrupts-covid-19-vaccinations-closing-clinics-and-delaying-shipmen|access-date=2021-02-16|website=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Osbourne|first=Heather|title=COVID-19 vaccine appointments canceled due to severe weather, Austin health officials say|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/02/15/covid-19-vaccine-appointments-cancelled-until-further-notice-because-winter-weather-health-officials/6749561002/|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref>
=== March 2021 ===
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2021}}
'''March 1:''' Texas DSHS reported 6456 covid-related fatalities during a short (28 days) month of February. It is the second highest number, after the previous month, January. Average daily fatalities in February became 231 after 292 in January, this is 21% decrease. However, Texas begins March with a rather small (smaller than the US average) decrease in fatalities.
'''March 11:''' Total number of covid-related fatalities, as reported by Texas DSHS, became higher than 45 thousand. The fatalities rate displays a clear lowering, as the last 5 thousand were added in 27 days, while previous 5 thousand were accumulated in 16 days.
'''March 17:''' With a potential "spring wave" of infection approaching, vaccination continues In Texas. Texas is still somewhat below average USA vaccination rate, and according to US CDC per 100 of population Texas administered 30.5 dosed as compare to 34.2 in the USA.
'''March 24:''' While a decrease of covid-related fatalities is becoming obvious as compare to numbers from January, Texas is displaying a somewhat worse results in comparison with the average progress in the USA. Thus, according to US CDC, in the last two weeks Texas recorded 1861 fatalities, which from US total of 14121 will represent 13.1%, and this is substantially higher than the Texas fraction in US population. The main reason is likely the rate of vaccination being slower than US average, resulting in additional deaths of 500 Texans in the last two weeks.
=== August 2021 ===
'''August 10:''' Due to low vaccination prevalence in some Texas population, the coronavirus infections and related deaths are quickly increasing again. According to data from Texas Department of State Health Services (see [[COVID-19 pandemic in Texas]]) the registered number of weekly covid-related deaths became near 400 for the last week (after being near 150 just a month ago). This death rate corresponds to infection rates at already increased level 2-3 weeks ago, because the death cases are increasing with a delay as compare to infection rates. During the last week the infection rate increases by about a factor of three from that level. Thus, in 2-3 weeks the weekly death rate will pass 1000 or even approach 1500.
'''August 11:''' For the first time after April 2, Texas DSHS again reported more than 100 covid-related daily fatalities in the state
'''August 25:''' According to Texas DPHS usual daily number of covid-related fatalities per weekday began to exceed 200, and continues to grow. Weekly fatalities exceeded 1000, for first time after the first half of Match. The fatalities growth indicates that the level of 2000 per week is achievable in two or three weeks. Most likely Texas will come to the first place in the number of covid-related fatalities amount all states, as it continues to be the highest in the current daily fatalities and has the lowest vaccination prevalence among large states.
=== September 2021 ===
'''September 1:''' Texas DSHS reported 320 covid-related fatalities, more than in any day in the previous 6 months, and the number accumulated in the last 7 days has arrived to 1500.
'''September 15:''' Texas DSHS reported more than 2000 covid-related fatalities during last 7 days. A level of unreported fatalities is likely increasing in many areas.
== References ==
<references />
{{#invoke:COVID-19 pandemic|}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}
[[Category:Timelines of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States by state|Texas]]
[[Category:Texas history-related lists|COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in Texas]]
[[Category:2020 in Texas]]
[[Category:2021 in Texas]]

Latest revision as of 14:24, 30 October 2021

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