Meanwhile, testing positivity rates in the nine-county Greater Houston area rose to 13% on July 12 after hovering around 11%-12% between July 1-July 11, according to the most recent data being tracked by the Texas Medical Center.
The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units across Harris County fell from 752 on July 13 to 699 on July 14, according to data being tracked by the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council. ICU occupancy is down from one week ago as well, when the total number of patients in Harris County stood at 710 on July 7.
However, the number of COVID-19 patients in general ward beds continues to rise, and health experts have said increases in general ward occupancy usually translate into more ICU patients over time. The number of COVID-19 patients in Harris County general wards hit a new high point of 2,040 on July 14, up from 1,944 on July 13 and 1,978 July 11.
Total cases in Harris County now stand at 49,027, with 32,330 of those cases considered active, 16,244 confirmed to have recovered and 473 confirmed to have died.
