Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Gov. Greg Abbott promised that all those who need a coronavirus test “will get one.”

But tests are scarce near the border, where there is a large at-risk population.

Counties are scrambling to find tests. And the death toll is rising.

w/@propublica

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2/ Texas has completed more than 50,600 tests so far, more than double what it had less than a week ago.

It still ranks among the lowest in the nation in per-capita testing, well behind New York and California.

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3/ The Valley’s population is particularly vulnerable to the virus and its hospitals could quickly become overwhelmed, experts say.

Some border cities have responded with drastic steps, including roadblocks and requiring masks inside public buildings.

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4/ President Donald Trump has responded by largely closing border crossings to “nonessential” travel.

Epidemiologists say the answer is not closing the border.

It’s aggressive testing — on both sides.

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5/ Doctors in the Rio Grande Valley are pleading with officials and lawmakers for more testing kits.

But they’ve been told testing kits were allocated to areas much harder hit, and they were not a priority.

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6/ Unlike most metro areas, these doctors also don’t have the option of relying on private hospitals for testing analysis.

They have to send swabs to public health labs with strict testing criteria or overwhelmed private companies.

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7/ In the border city of Laredo, a cluster of residents died on four consecutive days starting Sunday. bit.ly/3bOIYhG

8/ 17 more people tested positive in Hidalgo County on Thursday, including four children under the age of 5.

There is now “clear evidence” of community spread. bit.ly/3bOIYhG

9/9 As testing increases and cases rise by the day, border officials brace for what lies ahead.

Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez warned “There is a tsunami coming. It hasn’t hit us yet.”

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