Harris County coronavirus count: Houston sees drop in both positivity rate and total people tested

Another 1,433 new cases of COVID-19 and six deaths caused by the virus were confirmed in Harris County on Aug. 3. The new cases included 1,104 in the city of Houston and 329 in the county outside of the city.

Over the last week of July, the city of Houston reported both a drop in positivity rate for tests being conducted in the city as well as the total number of tests being taken. Officials encouraged residents to get tested in a July 30 tweet.

The number of people getting tested at our two #COVID19 mega testing sites is down. It's as important as ever to #GetTested to protect others from this deadly virus. Call 832-393-4220 for an access code and where to go. https://t.co/zEVXZSZ90O #hounews #BetterTogether pic.twitter.com/wEzzvC6ZEz

— Houston Health Dept (@HoustonHealth) July 31, 2020

The overall number of tests given in the city hovered between 500 and 1,500 between July 25 and Aug. 1, down from the 2,000-3,000 per day range over the previous week and 5,000-6,000 per day earlier in July. The seven-day average for testing positivity fell from around 23% on July 24 to around 17% on July 31, a rate public health officials said was still too high.

Total cases in the county now stands at 78,105, with 32,426 of those cases considered active, 44,912 recovered and 766 deaths.

COVID-19 patients in Harris County intensive care units increased on Aug. 3 after several days of holding steady or falling. ICU cases clocked in at 630 on Aug. 3, up from 592 the previous day and down from 665 one week prior on July 27.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 patients in general ward beds continued to fall, hitting 1,076 on Aug. 3, down from 1,199 on Aug. 2 and 1,483 on July 27, according to the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council.

Base occupancy in Texas Medical Center ICUs was not fully occupied for the first time since early July, with 1,324 of 1,330 beds occupied as of Aug. 3.