Texas Public Radio is updating information on COVID-19 in the Rio Grande Valley here. You can find the latest news from TPR in San Antonio here. Other NPR stations that are part of The Texas Newsroom are also live-blogging, including Houston Public Media, KERA in Dallas and KUT in Austin.
The statewide coronavirus hotline is 2-1-1. CDC guidelines on what you need to know and what to do if you are sick with COVID-19 can be found here in English and Spanish, and embedded at the end of this live blog.
TPR was founded by and is supported by our community. If you value our commitment to the highest standards of responsible journalism and are able to do so, please consider making your gift of support today.
Tuesday, May 26
Here's what we know...
9 p.m. – Hidalgo County confirms 12 additional cases
There are now 194 active cases of COVID-19 in Hidalgo County after a dozen new cases were reported on Tuesday.
Hidalgo County has now administered over 10,000 COVID-19 tests, which have resulted in 516 positive cases of the virus.
“There are currently more than 1,800 tests pending,” County Judge Richard F. Cortez said in a statement. “As we conduct more testing, we can expect the number of infected people to rise.”
Two more patients were recently admitted to Hidalgo County hospitals for treatment for COVID-19. There are currently 16 positive cases which require hospitalization, including three in intensive care.
Tuesday's report also showed 30 cases released from isolation, after 10 days of no symptoms including three days without a fever. About 60 percent, or 312 people, who tested positive have since recovered from the disease, according to county data.
8:30 p.m. – Thirteen new cases reported in Cameron County
Cameron County Public Health confirmed 13 additional cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the total number of reported cases up to 711.
The new reports are residents of Brownsville, Harlingen and San Benito. The youngest case of the group is a 2-year-old boy and the oldest is a 68-year-old woman. Both are from Brownsville and linked to previous cases.
On Tuesday, 25 individuals who previously tested positive were also reported to have recovered. About 70 percent, or 498 cases, have now recuperated according to county data.
5 p.m. – Testing available in Salineño on Wednesday
Free COVID-19 testing is available with an appointment at a mobile test collection site on Wednesday, May 27, Starr County shared today.
The testing site is located at the Salineño Community Center in Roma, located on 70 Salineño Road and will be open to appointments from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Individuals must have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 like fever, chills or cough to qualify for testing. To register for a prescreening and appointment time, visit txcovidtest.org or call 512-883-2400.
2 p.m. – 1,241 confirmed cases, 44 deaths connected to COVID-19 in the Valley
As of Tuesday morning, the four Valley-area counties have reported the following counts:
- 504 cases, 10 deaths in Hidalgo County
- 698 cases, 33 deaths in Cameron County
- 15 cases, 1 death in Willacy County
- 24 cases in Starr County
Data visualizations are maintained and published by journalist Ronnie Garza on the website https://www.rgvcovid19info.com. Hover over the graph to view updated values.
| Find previous COVID-19 blogs here |
Community Helpline Numbers
Statewide COVID-19 Resources
- 2-1-1 (option 6)
Cameron County
- 956-247-3650 (24/7)
Hidalgo County
- 956-292-7765 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Willacy and Starr Counties
- 956-421-5505
CDC Guidelines in English and Spanish
