AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has hit a new record of COVID-19 hospitalizations, smashing the previous high mark set in July. The state reported Monday that 11,351 people were hospitalized with the disease caused by the coronavirus. The previous record was set in July with 10,893 hospitalizations. The current mark is a climb of nearly 2,500 more patients since the end of November. State health officials also noted 49 newly reported deaths Monday. researchers from Johns Hopkins University say Texas is nearing 27,000 virus-related deaths to date. That is the second highest death count in the United States.