Texas Takes Action to Stem the Crushing COVID Tide

Gov. Greg Abbott announced a series of actions the state is taking to mitigate the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will be utilizing out-of-state staffing agencies to provide medical personnel to Texas healthcare facilities to assist in COVID-19 operations.

The governor also sent a letter to the Texas Hospital Association asking hospitals to voluntarily postpone elective medical procedures, for which a delay will not result in loss of life or the deterioration of a patient’s condition, in order to increase hospital capacity for COVID-19 patients.

Abbott is directing 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 use therapeutic drugs to treat COVID-19 patients who do not need hospitalization. These centers also help increase bed capacity so resources are available for the most ill patients.

The governor is also directing TDEM and DSHS to increase vaccination availability across the state and encourages all Texans to get the COVID-19 vaccine.