TEXAS — While the staggering number of new COVID-19 cases reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services on Tuesday can in part be chalked up to a backlog that occurred over the holiday weekend, it still points to the unchecked spread of the omicron variant throughout the state.

What You Need To Know

  • Texas on Tuesday reported 44,431 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 9,122 new probable cases

  • Some of that can be attributed to a case backlog created over the holiday weekend when COVID data was not being reported

  • The state additionally reported 7,460 current hospitalizations for the disease. A total 276 pediatric patients are now hospitalized with COVID

  • As the omicron variant-fueled virus spreads largely unchecked in Texas, several regions have moved to higher levels of virus risk guidelines

DSHS on Tuesday reported 44,431 new confirmed cases of the virus, 9,122 new probable cases and 60 more fatalities attributed to the disease.

The state health agency reports a total 7,460 Texans are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 1,530 of whom are in intensive care. Of those hospitalized, 836 are currently on ventilators. There are 276 pediatric patients hospitalized with the disease.

Currently, about 1 in 3 COVID-19 tests in Texas are coming back positive.

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The numbers come as cases are straining already-overburdened health care workers throughout the state.

San Antonio and Bexar County this week moved to “severe” COVID-19 risk status. Austin-Travis County has the case numbers and hospitalizations needed to move back to Stage 5 of COVID-19 risk-based guidelines. Harris County is currently at Level 2 of COVID guidelines, which advises that unvaccinated residents minimize contact with others. Dallas County’s current COVID risk level is at red, indicating a high risk of transmission.