COVID-19 hospitalizations increase as 4 more deaths reported

Four more Hidalgo County residents died from COVID-19 related causes as 199 more people tested positive, officials with the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department reported Thursday.

That brings the total number of deaths from this virus to 1,998 and the total number of known positive cases to 37,413, the county said in a Friday news release.

Of those cases, 2,143 are marked as active.

“COVID-19 is flaring up across the nation,” Hidalgo County Richard F. Cortez said in a statement. “We must protect ourselves to avoid a similar spike in cases in South Texas. Please stay home when you can and wear facial coverings when you go out. To the friends and family of the four who have died, I offer my condolences.”

The amount of COVID-19 hospitalizations increased from 159 to 170 on Thursday compared to Wednesday. 64 of those patients are being treated in intensive care units for COVID-19 complications, the same amount reported Thursday.