Governor Abbott Takes Action To Mitigate Rise In COVID-19 Cases In Texas | Office of the Texas Governor
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Governor Greg Abbott today announced a series of measures the state of Texas is taking to contain the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will use recruiting agencies to deploy medical personnel from outside of the state to Texas health facilities to assist with COVID-19 surgeries. The governor also sent a letter to the Texas Hospital Association urging hospitals to postpone voluntary medical procedures where delay does not result in loss of life or deterioration in a patient’s condition in order to increase hospital capacity for COVID- 19 increase patients.
Governor Abbott directs the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and DSHS to open additional COVID-19 antibody infusion centers in communities across the state. These infusion centers will treat COVID-19 patients who do not require hospitalization with therapeutic drugs that can prevent their condition from worsening and requiring hospital treatment. These centers also help increase bed capacity in hospitals so that resources are available for the most critically ill patients. The existing infusion center in Lubbock will expand capacity this week, and DSHS will open five new centers across Texas, starting with a facility in San Antonio tomorrow. The state took similar measures for communities across Texas in early 2021. Patients must meet certain criteria and have a referral from a doctor.
The governor also instructs TDEM and DSHS to increase vaccination availability across the state and encourages all Texans to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Texans can visit covidvaccine.texas.gov to find a provider in their area. Texans can also take advantage of TDEM’s government mobile vaccination program by calling 844-90-TEXAS and choosing option 3 to schedule a mobile vaccination clinic to vaccinate groups of friends, families, co-workers, volunteers, and more. Home-bound Texans can also call 844-90-TEXAS and choose option 1 to have a mobile vaccination team come to their home.
“The state of Texas is taking steps to combat the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and ensure our hospitals and communities have the resources and support they need to contain the virus,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans can support our efforts by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and is our best defense against this virus. Texans can find a COVID-19 vaccine supplier near them at covidvaccine.texas.gov. “
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