Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Dozens of Texas hospitals have run out of intensive care unit beds as COVID-19 surges faster than any other time during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott has blocked local officials and schools from issuing safety measures, like mask mandates. bit.ly/2VItqZW

2/ At least 53 Texas hospitals have no available ICU capacity, according to the most recent numbers reported to the federal government last week.

The surge is overwhelming the units that serve the sickest or most injured patients in the hospital. bit.ly/2X3J6HV

3/ Texas’ hospitals are divided into 22 trauma service areas. Half of them reported 10 or fewer available ICU beds on Sunday.

Cases and hospitalizations are reaching heights not seen since February. bit.ly/2VItqZW

4/ There are fewer ICU beds available across the state today than at any point in the pandemic.

You can search for the ICU capacity at your local hospitals here: bit.ly/2VItqZW

5/ Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is now asking hospitals to voluntarily put off certain elective procedures to free up space for COVID-19 patients. As coronavirus was consuming the state last summer, Abbott took a more restrictive approach. bit.ly/3fMdnS8

6/ Some big-city school districts in Texas are flouting Abbott’s order and issuing mask mandates anyway or indicating they want to.

Dallas ISD and Austin ISD announced Monday they will require masking, while Houston ISD will vote on a mandate this week. bit.ly/3lKUi6K

7/7 The top Dallas County official filed a legal challenge Monday over the statewide ban on mask mandates.

And officials in Bexar County sued Abbott Tuesday for the authority to enact a mask mandate in schools.

bit.ly/2X6rcUW