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.
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Here's what we know...
Sunday, May 31
7:00 p.m. – 575 known cases in Hidalgo County
There are now 575 positive cases confirmed in Hidalgo County after officials announced 15 additional reports of COVID-19 on Sunday.
One-third of the new reports are from Mission, three from Pharr and 2 from Weslaco. Single cases were also reported in San Juan, McAllen, Edinburg, Alamo and Hidalgo. Six of the 15 new reports are in their 20s.
At 13,915 tests administered, the county is close to testing 14,000 people for the novel coronavirus. About 3,800 tests results remain pending.
There are currently 219 active cases and 346 recoveries, according to county data. Twenty people remain in area hospitals for treatment including three in intensive care.
5:00 p.m. – Number of COVID-19 cases in Starr County reaches 35
Starr County Health Authority Dr. Jose Vasquez confirmed the county's latest COVID-19 on Sunday, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 35.
The female in her 30s is connected to a military facility with a mobile testing site run by state agencies, according to The Monitor.
Another case, a female in her 50s from Rio Grande City, was also confirmed over the weekend.
Saturday, May 30
5:00 p.m. – 10 new COVID-19 cases, seven recoveries in Cameron County
Cameron County Public Health confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 764.
Eight of the new reports are from Brownsville and two are from Harlingen. In Brownsville, one travel-related case was identified in a 45-year-old male and three cases of community transmission were confirmed as well.
The youngest case of the group is a 15-year-old female from Brownsville and the oldest is a 65-year-old male from Harlingen. Both are linked to previous cases.
Of the 764 confirmed cases, 559 have already recovered according to county data. Seven recent recoveries were also confirmed on Saturday.
Friday, May 29
8:00 p.m. – 36 COVID-19 deaths in Cameron County
Cameron County Public Health confirmed that a previously reported case – a 70-year-old male from Los Fresnos – has died after testing positive for COVID-19. There are now 36 known COVID-related deaths in Cameron County. This is fourth death reported since last Saturday, May 23.
Eleven new cases and 14 recoveries were also announced on Friday, taking the total number of recovered individuals to 552 out of 754 known cases.
All of Friday's reports are residents of Brownsville with the exception of a 21-year-old female from Harlingen linked to a previous case. The youngest of the new cases are two 3-year-olds linked to a previous case and the oldest is a case of community transmission in an 61-year-old female.
8 p.m. – Twelve new cases and 10 recent recoveries in Hidalgo County
There are now 560 known cases of COVID-19 in Hidalgo County, 204 of which are currently active. On Friday, county officials announced 10 recoveries and dozen new cases.
The new cases range between 20s and 60s in age. Six out of 12 of the reports are male and the other half are female.
The group includes cases three cases from Mission and two cases from Donna and San Juan, respectively. Single cases were also reported in Weslaco, Mercedes, Hidalgo, McAllen and Edinburg.
Four new patients were recently admitted to Hidalgo County hospitals for COVID-19. There are currently 20 people receiving treatment in Hidalgo County hospitals, including three who remain in intensive care.
6 p.m. – New case reported in Willacy County
A Willacy County man in his 60s is the latest cases of COVID-19 reported in Willacy County, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 15.
Late last week, a previously reported case was removed from Willacy's official count after a Texas Department of State Health Services investigation that the man was living in a different jurisdiction, The Brownsville Herald reported.
2 p.m. – Over 1,300 confirmed cases, 46 deaths connected to COVID-19 in the Valley
As of Friday morning, the four Valley-area counties have reported the following counts:
- 548 cases, 10 deaths in Hidalgo County
- 743 cases, 35 deaths in Cameron County
- 14 cases, 1 death in Willacy County
- 33 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
