There were only eight intensive care unit beds available throughout the entire Rio Grande Valley as of Thursday, according to information posted Friday from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Those eight beds were the only available ICU beds in the entire RGV Trauma Service Area, which includes Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr and Willacy counties, according to the state data.
On Thursday, the state reported a total of 655 COVID-19 hospitalizations throughout the Valley. But on Friday, Hidalgo County alone reported 675 hospitalizations, a 40% increase in hospitalizations there.
The last time local hospitals were this short on ICU beds was more than a year ago on July 13, 2020.
The current number is a 70% drop from the 27 beds that were available on Monday, according to DSHS data.
The state data also shows that COVID-19 hospitalizations make up nearly 30% of all Valley hospitalizations — a higher rate than the state overall.
RELATED READING:
Hidalgo County requests refrigerated truck as COVID-19 death toll grows
Brownsville Mayor: Hospitals reach capacity, no ICU beds available
