According to a report by KTXS-TV out of Abilene, Trauma Service Area D – which consists of Brownwood as well as Abilene – on Tuesday reached a new high-water mark for COVID hospital capacity.

KTXS reported that as of Tuesday, 22.07% of the people hospitalized in Trauma Service Area “D” are hospitalized for COVID-19.

Restrictions – such as bar closures and reduced restaurant capacity – will not be lifted until the area is below 15% COVID hospital capacity for seven straight days.

TSA D has been above the 15% COVID hospital capacity for 33 of the last 35 days.

Trauma Service Area “D” includes Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Shackleford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton counties.

Texas is divided up in 22 TSAs. Only five of them are below 15% COVID hospital capacity.

As of Tuesday, Hendrick had 157 COVID patients (136 Abilene, 21 Brownwood) and no ICU beds available.

Between Taylor County and Brown County alone, 280 COVID-related deaths have been reported.