The number of reported illnesses diagnosed as caused by the new coronavirus continued to climb Wednesday, as did the death count.
The cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, reported to state health officials increased in number by about 1,000 Wednesday to 27,054, with 1,702 now in Texas hospitals, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The number of COVID-19-related deaths reported to the state rose by 42 to 732.
The number of infections is likely higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
Harris County, which includes Houston, continued to lead the state in confirmed COVID-19 cases reported to health officials with 5,986, almost 2,000 more than the day before. It also continued to lead in COVID-19-related deaths reported with 103, five in one day. Dallas County ranked second in both categories with 3,240 cases reported, about 140 in one day, and 94 deaths, including 10 in one day.
