Texas has reported more than 10,000 Covid-19 cases in a single day for the first time since February, reflecting a trend among some of the most populous states that are dealing with new and rapidly-spreading outbreaks.
The latest jump in cases coincided with governor Greg Abbott’s issuance of an executive order restricting the ground transportation of “unlawful migrants” who pose a risk of carrying Covid-19, which he said was threatening the health of Texas communities.
The second-most-populous US state reported 10,086 new infections over the past day, up from about 6,600 on Tuesday, according to its health department. That marked the biggest daily increase in cases since February 9, according to state figures, and brings Texas’s seven-day average to more than 5,000.
Texas had a single-day record of more than 27,000 cases on December 29, according to state data, although figures around public holidays (like Christmas) may have contributed to several high daily totals during the winter. The state had a peak seven-day average of almost 20,000 cases in mid-January.
