WATCH @GovAbbott's 2pm #COVID19 press conference with @TDEM @chiefkidd and @TexasDSHS Dr Hellerstedt here:
#txlege #coronavirus
kxan.com/coronavirus-2/…
#txlege #coronavirus
kxan.com/coronavirus-2/…
Latest #COVID19 numbers from @TexasDSHS:
-2,552 statewide cases
-34 deaths
-118 counties reporting cases
-25,483 tested
#txlege #coronavirus
-2,552 statewide cases
-34 deaths
-118 counties reporting cases
-25,483 tested
#txlege #coronavirus
Update: #COVID19 press conference with @GovAbbott, @TexasDSHS and @TDEM pushed to 2:30pm. #txlege #coronavirus
Press conference has started but the station providing the pool video coverage seems to be having major technical issues. I'm working to get details.
Gov Abbott says bustling places are empty-- that's good news, he says. "Bottom line is that you have made a difference."
"We've increased collection and testing by more than 1,000%" says @GovAbbott. #COVID19 #coronavirus #txlege
Abbott reads off latest numbers:
Most of the numbers we're seeing are stemming from BEFORE social distancing practices local/state leaders have put in place, Abbott says. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Abbott says they've done some analysis of hospital beds available statewide. # of beds has more than doubled in a week. As of March 26, more than 16k beds available in TX. Most of new capacity came online after executive order to end elective surgeries in TX. #txlege #coronavirus
Number should be even larger, Abbott says, b/c it doesn't include info re: doubling up certain patients who don't need individual rooms. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Texans hospitalized with #COVID19 is less than 2% of hospital room capacity. Hospital vacancy rate for #coronavirus patients is 98%, Abbott says. #txlege
"Our job is to make sure that we're looking 1,2,3... weeks ahead" to make sure state can meet needs of communities, Abbott says. Includes expansion of facilities around the state. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Existing hospitals are primary location for treating. "But we must prepare for worst-case challenges as they arise," Abbott says. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Looking at arenas, hotels, other locations across TX as backup plans for housing patients, Abbott says. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Given what we've seen about current spread in DFW area, Abbott announces Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center as location to expand to treat patients should that be needed. 250 beds available, with more if needed. Shows photos as visual aids. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Army Corps of Engineers is also looking at other regions like Houston, San Antonio, Austin, RGV, El Paso, any part of state where this need may be called upon, Abbott says, urging local leaders to contact state if you know of a place that could be a temp healthcare facility.
1st is travel-related "to reduce importing COVID-19 into Texas." Prior order covered air travel from New Orleans. NEw order expands to travel by road from any location in Louisiana. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Abbott now requiring 14-day self-quarantine for anyone flying into Texas from Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, and any air travel from California and Washington State. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Abbott: New executive order issued to "stop the release of dangerous felons from prisons and jails in Texas." Comes after concerns from jail officials. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
"Releasing dangerous criminals from jails into the streets is not the right solution. Doing so is now prohibited by law" under Abbott's new exec order. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Abbott: I know staying home is hard, but it's to keep maximum containment of #COVID19. This is a war. You have the tools you need. You can protect yourself by reducing contact with others. #txlege #coronavirus
"Regardless of challenge, Texans have always been up the challenge," @GovAbbott says. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Abbott says sooner we can get to economic vitality will depend on Texans working to reduce spread. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Brig. Gen. Paul Owen of Army Corps of Engineers: looking at 3 diff types of facilities, hospitals/clinics not in use, arenas/convention centers, hotels. Could be used for #COVID19 patients, or others should regular hospitals take lead on that. #txlege #coronavirus
Now: @TXMilitary's @MGTracyNorris says you may see Guardsmen in your communities now that @GovAbbott has activated troops. Overseeing 10 general support units across Texas. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Next: @TexasDSHS Dr Hellerstedt-- we must continue successful efforts to do social distancing. "Absolutely essential." Focus on preventive measures like hand-washing, etc. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Now up: @repjohnzerwas (former lawmaker now with UT & on supply chain strike force) says we know there are as many as 30k licensed beds around TX that could be turned into hospitals beds for #COVID19 patients, in addition to those already identified. #txlege #coronavirus
Next up to the mic is @TDEM @chiefkidd, who thanks first responders. "This is truly a unified and team effort." Says supply chain has been damaged, but is slowly being rebuilt.
#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Abbott acknowledges issues with the video feed at the beginning. Goes back to beginning of his remarks to update Texans on some of the numbers. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Abbott says approx 90% of those tested have tested negative in TX. And of those who test positive, approx 10% need hospitalization. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Clarifying Abbott exec. order-- Anyone flying into TX from Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, & California and Washington State must also self-quarantine 14 days. Anyone driving into Texas from Louisiana must self-quarantine 14 days. DPS administering program. #txlege #coronavirus
On how soon he thinks Texans can get back to business/school: we'll take any action needed, Abbott says. Heeding advice from CDC and leading doctors in DC & TX. Also meeting with head of @teainfo this week. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
How many ventilators in Texas? "We're continuing to aggregate" all the info, Abbott says. "We don't know right now how many ventilators we will need," adding that he's also looking 3 weeks from now. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Governors have received letter from President to expect an announcement this week on expanding federal standards on social distancing, etc. per @GovAbbott. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
"This is all driven by science, data and medical assessments," @GovAbbott. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Worst-case scenario would be opening up biz in 2 weeks only to have to shut them down again should #COVID19 cases surge, Abbott says. #txlege #coronavirus
Transmission rate could decrease b/c vacant streets and empty stores, Abbott says. #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
HIGHLIGHTS of @GovAbbott's new executive order, expanded quarantine guidelines for travelers, and plans to house Texas #COVID19 patients should the numbers grow. #txlege #coronavirus
CLICK: kxan.com/coronavirus-2/…
CLICK: kxan.com/coronavirus-2/…
Want to read @GovAbbott's latest #coronavirus executive orders? #txlege
THIS ONE adds quarantine requirements for travelers from Louisiana: gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/…
THIS ONE relates to prisoner release: gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/…
THIS ONE expands his previous air traveler order:
THIS ONE adds quarantine requirements for travelers from Louisiana: gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/…
THIS ONE relates to prisoner release: gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/…
THIS ONE expands his previous air traveler order:
My recap:
