West Texas county becomes last in the state to report COVID-19 cases

LOVING COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- In west Texas, Loving County has the distinction of becoming the last county in the state to have reported zero cases of COVID-19.

Tuesday, the first three positive tests were reported in the county.

Only about 170 people live in Loving County, making it the lowest population in the contiguous United States.

This means all 254 counties in Texas now have COVID-19 cases.

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This is truly heartbreaking. Bonnie Soria Najera shares what it was like to lose six relatives to COVID-19, but also the frustration that comes from people continuing to have gatherings, yet telling her they are sorry for her loss. "Really? Are you really sorry? Because you don't look very sorry about that party you're risking your loved one, you're risking their life for."

Loving County is just under 200 miles from El Paso, Texas, which has exceeded 1,000 daily cases several times during the last two weeks.

The outbreak was responsible for another 14 deaths reported last Wednesday, and active cases in the border area are now at more than 29,000. Nearly 1,100 patients are hospitalized, including 279 in intensive care, according to the latest government statistics.

El Paso County has temporarily shut down nonessential businesses for at least three more weeks in order to control the spread.

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A court decision on El Paso County's shut down order in the midst of skyrocketing COVID-19 cases could impact Houston and other corners of Texas down the line.