Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ As Texas reopens, coronavirus cases are still increasing and the state is missing some of its own coronavirus response benchmarks. bit.ly/2T9yEKe

2/ Texas has seen a modest but steady increase in the rate of new coronavirus cases.

The number of new cases reported each day has grown from an average of about 918 during the week ending May 1 to about 1,227 this week. bit.ly/2T9yEKe

3/ State officials have pointed to other metrics, such as the continued availability of hospital beds and a stable rate of tests coming back positive, as cause for optimism in the fight against the virus. bit.ly/2T9yEKe

4/ In the two weeks since May 1, when the initial phase of reopening began, the percentage of tests coming back positive has gradually declined, which Gov. Greg Abbott has touted as a success. bit.ly/2T9yEKe

5/ State officials also see hope in the state’s hospitalization rate.

Unlike other parts of the country such as New York, Texas has yet to see hospitals overwhelmed by a crush of coronavirus patients. bit.ly/2T9yEKe

6/ But experts believe Texas has yet to see a peak in its death rate.

The new status quo includes roughly 34 new virus deaths each day.

On Thursday, Texas reported 58 new deaths. That was the state’s highest daily death rate so far.

bit.ly/2T9yEKe

7/ The number of tests administered to Texans with coronavirus symptoms has grown steadily week over week, despite a rocky start.

Still, the number of tests falls short of Abbott’s own recommendations. bit.ly/2T9yEKe

8/8 Today marks two weeks since Gov. Greg Abbott allowed Texas retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, museums and libraries to open at 25% capacity.

The governor is expected to announce another round of reopening plans soon. bit.ly/2T9yEKe