BREAKING: COVID-19 Cases Rising in Texas Amid Spread of New “NIMBUS” Variant

TEXAS (TXAN 24) — While no longer at pandemic levels, COVID-19 cases in Texas are on the rise again. Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the CDC show that infections are increasing as children return to school.

Key Points for August 2025:

• Rising cases: The CDC reported on August 18 that COVID-19 infections are growing in 24 states, including Texas.

• Dominant variant: A new highly infectious “NIMBUS” variant is spreading rapidly, lab studies suggest it is more than twice as contagious as previous strains.

• Wastewater surveillance: CDC data indicates “very high” COVID-19 viral activity in Texas wastewater.

Texas COVID-19 Data (as of August 2025):

• Test positivity rate: 9.9% (up from 8.5% the previous week)

• Emergency department visits: Increasing, especially among children under 12

• Hospital admissions: 1.6 per 100,000 people weekly

• Vaccinations: Approximately 64.9% of Texans are fully vaccinated (data from Johns Hopkins, April 2024)

Current Regulations:

• State law: Texas prohibits government-imposed mask or vaccine mandates. Publicly funded entities cannot require vaccine passports.

• Local restrictions: County judges can impose certain mitigation measures if hospitalizations exceed 15% of bed capacity for seven consecutive days, but cannot mandate masks or enforce penalties.

For the latest updates:

• Texas DSHS: dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus

• CDC COVID Data Tracker: covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker