As COVID-19 deaths fill morgues in Texas, officials ask for refrigerated trucks

Officials across Texas are planning for the worst, requesting refrigerated trucks as morgues near capacity due to coronavirus-related deaths.

The state’s coronavirus death rate has accelerated this month, adding a record 136 reported deaths on July 14 followed by 133 more on July 15, according to data from the New York Times. In June, the daily death count in Texas peaked at 52.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Texas has had 3,582 coronavirus-related deaths and 295,423 confirmed cases, the Times reported, with daily new cases trending steadily upward.

Harris, Dallas and Tarrant counties have seen the most reported deaths since the pandemic began, the data show.

In Bexar County, home to San Antonio, two refrigerated trucks are already prepared for use and three more are expected to be ready by the end of the week, KSAT reported. Each trailer can hold between 24 and 36 bodies.

Mario Martinez, assistant director of the local health department, said the trucks are necessary due to a surge in deaths and funerals being postponed in accordance with social distancing guidelines, according to the outlet.

“This is a morbid topic and it’s not one we enjoy talking about, but it really does underscore the severity of COVID-19 in our community,” Martinez told the outlet.

Bexar County has 201 coronavirus-related deaths as of Thursday morning, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

In Nueces County, where Corpus Christi is located, Medical Examiner Dr. Adel Shaker wrote a letter to County Judge Barbara Canales requesting a FEMA morgue trailer, KRIS reported. The county already has one refrigerated trailer.

“That’s why we’re asking people to wear face masks,” Shaker told the outlet. “I am now having to order additional body bags and morgue trailers. People have to understand how real it is.”

Nueces County has 70 deaths related to the coronavirus, per Johns Hopkins data.

Last month, Cameron County in South Texas ordered a 53-foot refrigerated trailer in case its portable morgue, which is already on standby, also reaches capacity, the Valley Morning Star Reported. Officials said the county has always had a portable morgue, which can hold about 24 bodies.

Neighboring Hidalgo County also said it will share a FEMA trailer with Cameron County, KRGV reported. The truck, which can hold an estimated 50 bodies, arrived several weeks ago, according to Hidalgo County officials, but has been sitting unused. Hidalgo County officials said Cameron County’s morgue is filling more quickly.

“I’m going to let them take this one, because they are in dire need,” Hidalgo County emergency management coordinator Ricardo Saldaña, told KRGV.

Cameron County has 79 coronavirus-related deaths, according to Johns Hopkins data. Hidalgo County has 183.

Travis County and the city of Austin are also trying to get a refrigerated truck due to a surge in COVID-19 deaths, Travis County public information officer Hector Nieto told the Texas Tribune, but did not say when the truck would arrive.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 7:02 AM with the headline "As COVID-19 deaths fill morgues in Texas, officials ask for refrigerated trucks."