Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation on Tuesday banning elective surgical procedure in 4 counties as a means of guaranteeing mattress availability as these areas expertise a fast surge in instances of the novel coronavirus.
The proclamation, which added the border counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, and Webb, amends Abbott’s June 25 government order that banned elective surgical procedures in Harris, Travis, Dallas, and Bexar counties.
“As these counties experience a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we are committed to working alongside hospitals to help ensure that every COVID-19 patient who needs a bed will have access to one,” Abbott stated in an announcement. “We are constantly monitoring the data at the local level and will continue to take precautionary action where it is necessary.”
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Under the present ban, the governor is directing all hospitals in these eight counties to postpone surgical procedures and procedures except the affected person may undergo different critical well being points with out the process, or may die with out the surgical procedure or process.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, there have been 153,011 reported instances of the brand new coronavirus in Texas. As of June 29, there have been 5,913 COVID-19 sufferers who had been hospitalized statewide, with 13,825 accessible hospital beds and 1,411 accessible ICU beds, in response to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Bexar County, house to San Antonio, and the biggest of the state’s south Texas counties, had 650 new instances of the virus on June 29 with 881 sufferers in native hospitals, including to the greater than 10,000 reported instances since March.
“The number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge exponentially,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg stated throughout his each day information briefing on Monday. “We are moving in the wrong direction.”
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff stated the surge in instances was straining hospital sources, and he was assembly with native leaders to extend hospital capability, which would come with changing working room area to deal with COVID-19 sufferers.
Webb County, positioned on the southwestern U.S.-Mexico border, has reported greater than 1,400 instances of the brand new coronavirus and solely has 69 accessible hospital beds to serve their sufferers, the Texas Tribune reported.
Meanwhile, a Lower Rio Grande Valley trauma heart that gives take care of residents in each Hidalgo and Cameron counties solely has 45 accessible ICU beds. Collectively, each counties have reported 5,477 COVID-19 instances since March.
“Our rise in numbers has become a problem and I’ve taken action trying to slow infection rates by limiting mass and social gatherings, and by requiring facial coverings inside of covered spaces and buildings. Ultimately, however, we must protect ourselves,” Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez stated in an announcement on June 28.
Cortez stated he and his state have been monitoring hospital capability and requested Abbott and the Texas Department of Emergency Management to ship medical personnel to supply help to one of many space’s hospitals.
Abbott beforehand issued a ban on elective surgical procedures in March however started easing restrictions in late April because the state started the method of reopening, offered that 15 p.c of the beds had been accessible for COVID-19 sufferers.
“I want to remind all Texans that each of us have a responsibility to help slow the spread of this virus, and I urge everyone to wear a mask, wash their hands regularly, practice social distancing, and stay home if possible,” Abbott stated.
Newsweek contact Abbott’s workplace for extra remark however didn’t hear again earlier than publication.