COVID-19 fatalities rise to 743, 450 new cases reported

The Hidalgo County COVID-19 death count rose by 16 Wednesday as another 450 tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number of known positive cases to 18,699.

A total of 743 people in the county have died from COVID-19 complications Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said in a Wednesday news release.

“I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of another 16 Hidalgo County residents. My deepest sympathies go out to their friends and family,” Judge Cortez said. “I urge you to protect yourself and your family from the COVID-19 virus. Masks are an additional step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventive actions and social distancing in public settings.”

There are currently 742 people hospitalized with complications from the virus with 260 of those cases are being treated in intensive care units.

Meanwhile, 619 Hidalgo County residents have been released from isolation after being symptom-free for 10 days, including three days without a fever. A total of 12,965 people have been released from isolation, leaving the county with 4,991 active cases.

On Tuesday, Starr County announced 56 new cases of the disease, bringing the county total to 2,262 with 745 recoveries. 1,495 people are recovering under medical care at the county faces a total of 22 COVID-19 deaths,