This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
Out-of-Towners Blamed for Texas Beach City Outbreak ¶
Corpus Christi, Texas, was once a popular beach destination for Texans looking to escape the coronavirus, but a recent surge in cases has left the city scrambling to contain the outbreak.
As of early June, the city had seen a significant decrease in coronavirus cases, with some days reporting as few as three positive tests. However, the situation took a drastic turn in July, with the city now reporting one of the fastest-growing outbreaks in Texas.
According to Dr. Christopher Bird, a professor at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the speed of the spread in Corpus Christi is unprecedented. 'The part that's different here is just how fast we rose in the number of cases and how fast it spread,' he said.
Local officials have been left scrambling to get ahead of the outbreak, with the city's two dozen contact tracers overwhelmed by the number of new cases. Hospital beds have filled at an alarming rate, prompting pleas for additional staffing.
Mayor Joe McComb has been forced to issue a plea to tourists, asking them to stay away from the city's beaches. 'I never thought in my wildest dreams that I'd be telling tourists, 'Don't come to our beaches,' he said.
While some locals blame out-of-town visitors for the outbreak, others point to the city's own actions. 'It's us. Yeah, it's us,' said Marilyn McCaleb, a local resident. 'They don't wear their masks — maybe they do now, because they have to.'
Whatever the reason, the virus has spread rapidly throughout the city, with cases reported at bars, restaurants, and even a draft party for a local baseball player.
As the city struggles to contain the outbreak, officials are left grappling with the uncomfortable reality that the same out-of-towners who help the city thrive economically may have caused the outbreak.
