Texas has again hit a new high for patients hospitalized for the coronavirus, with Sunday's 2,287 reported cases marking a third straight day the state set a new record for hospitalizations, after the past few days brought a record surge in new cases just over two full weeks after Memorial Day.
American flag and Texas flag flying at the LBJ Library in Austin. (Photo by: Loop Images/Universal ... [+] 
The amount of new cases reported in the state spiked over the past week, according to data from the Texas Department of Health.
After not recording a day with at least 2,000 new cases throughout the pandemic, three of the past five days have surpassed that count, with Wednesday the highest with 2,504 new cases.
The percentage of tests coming back positive has also risen in June compared with the stats from May; for 12 days in a row now, the 7-day average for tests coming back positive has been over 6%, a threshold public health officials there have said the state should remain below.
Despite saying hospitalizations and positive tests are key metrics when it comes to continuing the state's reopening, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has shown no signs of slowing down the state's aggressive approach.
The state is now in Phase 3 of its reopening, and restaurants were allowed to reopen this weekend at 75% of normal operating capacity.
Sunday's 1,843 reported new cases was a slight drop from the two days before-both of those brought over 2,000 new cases-while the 19 new deaths reported was one higher than the number on Saturday.
Texas is one of several states experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. States like Arizona, Florida and South Carolina have also set records over the past few days for new cases as experts are concerned reopening efforts, combined with large gatherings seen on Memorial Day as well as for protests following the death of George Floyd, have led to a resurgence in coronavirus spread in some areas.
Though hospitalizations have continued to rise, the state is still far from reaching its health care capacity, reporting 14,660 beds available as of Sunday. However, officials in Houston are warning that cushion may not last much longer with how rapid the coronavirus seems to be spreading, as they look to potentially refit NRG Stadium into a temporary hospital.
"I'm growing increasingly concerned that we may be approaching the precipice of a disaster," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Thursday.
At least three parks in the Austin area had to be closed down on Sunday. Officials there said they were concerned about overcrowding after parks reached their maximum capacities.
Texas Shatters Record For New Coronavirus Cases (Forbes)
Here Are All The States Where Coronavirus Cases Are Spiking (Forbes)
Houston weighs another lockdown as coronavirus cases surge (CBS News)
Third Travis County park closes Sunday to overcrowding (Austin American-Statesman)
I'm a New Orleans-based news reporter for Forbes covering the U.S. South and breaking news. Previously, I wrote for The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate covering
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