Harris County coronavirus count: 1,385 new cases, 16 deaths confirmed July 21

Public health officials in Harris County confirmed 1,385 new cases of COVID-19 on July 21, including 758 new cases in the city of Houston and 627 new cases in Harris County outside of the city.

Another 16 deaths caused by the coronavirus were confirmed July 21, including a Hispanic male in his 40s with no underlying health conditions. Due to a lag in reporting after deaths occur, some of the deaths reported July 21 occurred as far back as May 16.

Today, we report 758 new cases of #COVID19 and add ten deaths.*

*We made a correction by removing a previously-reported death that was moved to another jurisdiction.

With the adjustment, the total number of cases in #Houston is 37,743 with 338 total deaths. #hounews (1/2) pic.twitter.com/jKsNS8OEAP

— Houston Health Dept (@HoustonHealth) July 21, 2020

A total of 58,480 cases have now been confirmed in Harris County, which includes 38,790 active cases, 19,129 recoveries and 560 deaths.

The testing positivity rate for the nine-county Greater Houston area was recorded at 22% as of July 19, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

COVID-19 hospitalizations held steady July 21 in Harris County, according to data being tracked by the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council. The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units fell slightly from 725 on July 20 to 720 on July 21.

Base occupancy in Texas Medical Center member hospitals remained fully occupied on July 21, with about 5% of surge capacity beds occupied, or 17 of 373 beds, roughly the same as the previous day and down from one week prior. The daily new hospitalization trend leveled off in the medical center after falling for several days.