News Updates

Current news topics:

• COVID-19
• COVID-19 Variants
• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
• Monkeypox
  

COVID-19

Accessible version (Excel)

The Texas Department of State Health Services tracks COVID-19 cases, testing, hospitalizations, vaccine allocations and uptake, and more.

COVID-19 data dashboards can be accessed from the menu options to the right.
Accessible version (Excel) | Texas COVID-19 Data Additional Datasets
All data are provisional and subject to change.

DSHS has additional information on COVID-19 for the public, health care professionals, health departments and labs at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.

News releases on COVID-19

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COVID-19 Variants

DSHS has launched a new Variants and Genomic Surveillance dashboard for SARS-CoV-2, replacing the variant count table previously located on this page. You can view the platform at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/variants-data. The new platform is similar in style and content to the CDC’s variant dashboard, and the data shown is collected by the CDC’s national SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance program. The dashboard’s data will be updated weekly.

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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

MIS-C is a rare but serious complication associated with COVID-19. DSHS has launched a new multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) data webpage, replacing the MIS-C count table previously located on this page. You can view the data page at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/mis-c/mis-c-data. The data will continue to be updated monthly. DSHS is working to learn more about why some children and adolescents develop MIS-C after having COVID-19 or contact with someone with COVID-19, while others do not. An additional webpage with information and resources for parents and providers is available at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/mis-c/mis-c-info.

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Monkeypox – August 12, 2022

DSHS and local health departments are investigating cases of monkeypox that are part of an international outbreak. The disease, which can cause a serious skin rash, appears to be spreading largely via direct contact with the skin or saliva of an infected person. Most cases so far have been among men who have sex with men, so that population should be especially aware of the situation and take precautions to avoid direct contact with anyone with a rash.

As of Aug. 10, DSHS has begun shipping an additional 16,340 vials of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine to local health departments and DSHS public health regions. The distribution is based on the number of people currently at the greatest risk of being exposed to the monkeypox virus.

DSHS has also provided updated guidance to local health departments, including on the population eligible for vaccination. The guidance covers the federal announcement allowing providers to stretch the number of doses they have by giving a smaller amount of vaccine through a different injection method. This method may allow each vial to be used for up to five doses.

Previously:

On July 23, DSHS received 14,780 vials of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile and has distributed all but a few hundred to local health departments and DSHS regional offices.

On July 28, DSHS was notified Texas could receive up to 41,840 additional vials. 40 percent (approx. 16,700) was ordered immediately, 30 percent (approx. 12,500) can be ordered Aug. 15, and the remaining 30 percent will be held back by the federal government “pending review of the status of the outbreak and vaccine administration data.” JYNNEOS is a two-dose vaccine, so half the doses must be reserved to give people a second dose 28 days after the first.

Monkeypox is a preventable disease, and people have an important role to play in stopping its spread. Most cases in Texas have spread through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox. Risks include having sex, kissing or hugging someone with monkeypox or sharing cups, utensils, bedding or towels with them.

Additionally, people should avoid close, skin-to-skin contact in large crowds where people are wearing minimal clothing, such as nightclubs, festivals, raves, saunas, and bathhouses. Also people should avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with someone with a new, unexplained rash.

If you were exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. You may need to be tested. If you are sick with monkeypox, stay home and avoid close contact with others until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.

DSHS news releases

DSHS monkeypox information

 Data updated on Tuesdays and Fridays.

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