Texas became the first state in the nation to surpass 1 million novel coronavirus cases Tuesday, as strained healthcare systems grapple with record hospitalizations and mounting virus-related deaths.
The Lonestar state confirmed a total of 1.01 million cases have been reported statewide since the pandemic began, resulting in at least 19,342 deaths, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
Texas health officials also confirmed that 6,170 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 Tuesday and that 94 new virus-related deaths were reported that day, USA Today reported.
“Swift distribution of vaccines and medical treatments will begin to heal those suffering from COVID-19, slow the spread of the virus, and aid in reducing hospitalizations of Texans,” Gov. Gregg Abbott said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Texas' population of roughly 28 million people represents only about 70% of that of California, the state with the next highest number of diagnosed infections at 993,106, which have resulted in at least 18,080 deaths.
Florida, New York and Illinois round out the top five hardest-hit states, combining to account for nearly 2 million total cases, resulting in nearly 62,000 deaths to date.
Twelve other states have now confirmed at least 298,000 novel coronavirus cases each, including:
• Georgia: 411,652 cases, resulting in 8,264 deaths
• Wisconsin: 301,349 cases, resulting in 2,457 deaths
• North Carolina: 300,561 cases, resulting in 4,698 deaths
• Tennessee: 293,381 cases, resulting in 3,761 deaths
• Ohio: 267,356 cases, resulting in 5,623 deaths
• Arizona: 265,163 cases, resulting in 6,228 deaths
• New Jersey: 263,495 cases, resulting in 16,476 deaths
• Michigan: 251,872 cases, resulting in 8,136 deaths
• Pennsylvania: 248,015 cases, resulting in 9,136 deaths
• Missouri: 224,664 cases, resulting in 3,329 deaths
• Indiana: 224,374 cases, resulting in 4,762 deaths
• Alabama: 208,637 cases, resulting in 3,201 deaths
Meanwhile, 16 states have recorded at least 110,000 cases, including Virginia, Louisiana, Minnesota, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Iowa, Maryland, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas, Washington, Nevada and Kansas.
Only 21 U.S. states and territories have each recorded 87,733 cases or fewer.
More coronavirus pandemic coverage:
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Cox Media Group
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