BEAUMONT, Texas — Southeast Texas reported 80 new COVID-19 cases and one fatality on Wednesday.
Hospitalization numbers fell over the last months, bringing the region below 15 percent for more than 14 consecutive days. This is significant because businesses are able to increase occupancies.
53 people were hospitalized with coronavirus complications as of Wednesday night.
Jefferson County reported 15 new COVID-19 cases and one deaths related to the virus.
Chambers County reported 19 new coronavirus cases. Liberty County reported 18 new cases, and Jasper County reported 10. Tyler County and Hardin County both reported eight new cases Wednesday night.
12News is keeping track of positive cases in eight Southeast Texas counties including Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, and Tyler Counties.
There are five Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison units in Southeast Texas. Numbers for the Gist, LeBlanc and Stiles Units in Jefferson County, the Goodman Unit in Jasper County and the Lewis Unit in Tyler County are not included in our graphs.
Here's a look at COVID-19 numbers in Southeast Texas prisons...
12News is receiving data direct from local counties and local health departments as well as the State of Texas.
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
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Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.