Governor Abbott Takes Action To Mitigate Rise In COVID-19 Cases In Texas – Office of the Texas Governor

August 9, 2021 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today announced a series of actions the State of Texas is taking to mitigate the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Texas.The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will be utilizingstaffing agencies to provide medical personnel from out-of-state to Texas health care facilities to assist in COVID-19 operations.The Governor has alsosent a letter to the Texas Hospital Associationasking 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.

Governor Abbott isdirecting the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and DSHSto open additional COVID-19antibody infusion centersin communities across the state. These infusion centers will treat COVID-19 patients who do not need hospitalization with therapeutic drugs that can prevent their condition from worsening and requiring hospital care. These centers also help increase bed capacity in hospitals so that resources are available for the most ill patients.The existing infusion center in Lubbock will expand capacity this week, and DSHS will launch five new centers throughout Texas beginning with a facility in San Antonio tomorrow.The State deployedsimilar measures in early 2021 to communities across Texas. Patients must meet certain criteria and have a referral from a doctor.

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.Texans can visitcovidvaccine.texas.govto find a provider near them. Texans can also utilizeTDEM's State Mobile Vaccine Programby calling844-90-TEXAS and selecting Option 3 to schedule a mobile vaccine clinic to vaccinate groups of of friends, families, employees, volunteers, and more.Homebound Texans can also call 844-90-TEXAS and choose Option 1 to request a mobile vaccine team to come to their home.

"The State of Texas is taking action to combat the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and ensure that our hospitals and communities have the resources and support they need to mitigate the virus," said Governor Abbott. "Texans can help bolster our efforts by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and it is our best defense against this virus. Texans can visitcovidvaccine.texas.govto find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near them."

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Governor Abbott Takes Action To Mitigate Rise In COVID-19 Cases In Texas - Office of the Texas Governor