Texas sets record-breaking high for coronavirus hospitalizations with 1,935 patients admitted, one month after the state reopened early and thousands attend Black Lives Matter protests (11 Pics)

Texas reported a record-breaking number of COVID-19 hospitalizations on Monday as the governor ushers in Phase III to reopen the economy and health experts fear a resurgence amid nationwide protests.

The Texas Department of State Health Services revealed that 1,935 people were admitted to hospitals for coronavirus-related treatment. 

This is higher than the previous record set on May 5 when 1,888 hospitalizations related to the virus were recorded. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services revealed there were 1,935 patients admitted to hospitals for coronavirus-related treatment on Monday

The state's positivity rate for coronavirus tests at a low 4.27 per cent at the end of May, but recently rose three points to reach 7.55 per cent 

As of Monday evening, Texas has recorded 75,616 case of COVID-19 and reached a death toll of  1,836. 

The United States has reported 1,960,642 infections and 110,990 deaths. 

New infections in Texas have increased by 71 per cent over the past two weeks, according to the 14-day trend line provided by health officials.

Although hospitalizations are on the rise, Texas has more than 1,600 a intensive-care beds and 5,8000 ventilators available for ill residents. 

The department's latest figures come after Texas Gov. Greg Abbot began the next phase of the state's reopening plan after ending lockdown orders in May.

The new figure breaks the previous record set on May 5 with 1,888 hospitalizations related to coronavirus

Orders from Texas Gov. Greg Abbot (pictured) allowed the state to begin Phase III of its reopening plan on June 3

Texas, the second largest state in the United States, was the first state to pull back lockdown restrictions despite concerns from public health experts over a second wave of cases.

Abbot cited several reasons behind his rushed reopening, including that the state had a small number of laboratory confirmed cases.

'The county had five or fewer COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases on April 30, 2020 or, at a later date, five or fewer active COVID-19 cases as verified by DSHS,' he wrote in a press statement.

Guidelines for reopening states have relied on the number of tests processed, but some infectious disease experts have argued that performance should be based on hospitalization numbers.

'Looking at things like how many ICU admissions and deaths are probably some of the strongest and most reliable (data points) because they are the worst outcomes that could happen,'  Dr. David Hardy, an adjunct professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told CNBC. 

 In addition to Texas, the New York Times has reported that around 20 states, including California and Arizona, saw a rise in cases over the last few weeks. 

On June 3, Abbot pushed Texas into Phase III of reopening plans that nearly all businesses to restart operations.

Several people gather for a beach part in Port Aransas, Texas, on Memorial Day after the state was the first to reopen its economy during the pandemic 

Beaches in Texas reopened last month, drawing large crowds outside amid the coronavirus pandemic

Pictured: Amid concerns of the spread of COVID-19, a shopper leaves a Gucci store as other wait to enter at North Park Mall in Dallas, Texas

Restaurants were already allowed to open at 50 per cent capacity, but the latest phase increased table seating from six to 10 people at a time. On June 12, restaurants can expand capacity to 75 per cent.

Professional outdoor sports teams can now allow 50 per cent capacity inside stadiums and college teams can resume operations for the first time at 50 per cent capacity. 

Additionally, water parks opened with some restrictions and driver education programs could resume immediately. 

Meanwhile, public health experts and state officials are both concerned about a rise in coronavirus cases as protests over the death of George Floyd spark in Texas. 

'The people of Texas continue to prove that we can safely and responsibly open our state for business while containing COVID-19 and keeping our state safe,' said Abbot in a statement.   

Protesters marching on the streets of Texas told The Texas Tribune fighting for human and civil rights outweighed their fear of the illness. 

Health experts fear current Black Lives Matter protests could cause another wave of coronavirus cases in Texas and other states

Thousands have taken to the streets with many ignoring social distancing guidelines laid out by infectious disease experts

'I didn’t care if I was exposed to COVID,' said Renee Lopez. 'I had this single-mindedness to go and protest because I feel like I just can’t take it anymore.'

'[Floyd] being murdered was just the last straw. My reasons for going were beyond fear.'

County Judge Lina Hidalgo in Harris County urged protesters to support demonstrations virtually as to not spread the infection.

'Today, the threat of COVID-19 continues to linger in our community, and close contact with others can be potentially deadly and lead to an outbreak,' said Hidalgo in a statement.

Ogechika K. Alozie, an infectious disease specialist and member of the Texas Medical Association’s COVID-19 task force, added that large gatherings are still unsafe during the ongoing pandemic.

'The science led us to feel that mass gatherings, in closed spaces especially, are things to be avoided,' he said. 

Pictured: Mourners pass by the casket of George Floyd during a public visitation for Floyd at the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Texas

Because coronavirus is spread mainly from person to person with respiratory droplets, some health experts warned that protesters shouting, police use of tear gas and pepper spray could further infections. 

'From a medical standpoint, mass gatherings, people not wearing masks [and] people potentially not practicing hand hygiene are concerns,' said Alozie. 

Despite this, protests have continued across the country as a memorial was held for George Floyd on Monday in Houston, Texas. 

Thousands of people wearing face masks, inclduing Gov. Abbot, descended onto The Fountain of Praise church to pay their respects.