Of the total cases, the county estimates 28,191 people have recovered from the virus, while 380 people are confirmed to have died from it, which leaves approximately 6,822 active cases.
The following graph shows the history of the coronavirus pandemic in Fort Bend County by charting daily case counts and seven-day averages. The seven-day rolling case average stood at 430.86 as of Jan. 8. Fort Bend County did not record new case information for several days surrounding the Christmas and New Year holiday.
Coronavirus-related hospitalizations in Fort Bend County have increased throughout December and into January. Coronavirus patients occupy 27.62% of all in-use hospital beds in the county, data from the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council shows.
As of Jan. 8, there are 217 coronavirus patients being treated in Fort Bend County hospitals. Of those, 37 are in intensive care units, according to SETRAC.
The graph below shows coronavirus hospitalization data—including general and ICU bed usage—since March. Additionally, on Jan. 6, Fort Bend County—along with Harris and Montgomery counties—experienced a tightening of public health measures as the local coronavirus hospitalization numbers surpassed 15% of hospital capacity in the region’s Trauma Service Area.
In accordance with an Oct. 8 executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott, exceeding this threshold means some businesses’ capacity is scaled back to 50% and bars must close. Restrictions will be lifted once there are 15 consecutive days under with coronavirus hospitalizations under 15%.
At this time, Fort Bend County does not have any additional local orders in place.
Note: Data in this story reflects what Fort Bend County and the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council are reporting as of 5 p.m. Jan. 8. Community Impact Newspaper will resume weekly Fort Bend County coronavirus case count updates each Friday beginning Jan. 15.