The COVID-19 is WAAAY out of hand along the Rio Grande Valley. U.S. Sens. @JohnCornyn @tedcruz Reps @RepGonzalez @RepFilemonVela & @RepCuellar calling for federal help including a new emergency field hospital to deal overcrowded medical facilities.
"Unfortunately, with recent surges in COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks, our health systems have been pushed to their limits,” they say in letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar
“Providers in our region have urgently requested additional staffing and a myriad of medical supplies including oxygen, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and dialysis machines as well as additional facilities to enhance critical care and discharge capacity.”
How bad is it along the Rio Grande River? Don't take my word for it, look at counties with highest number of deaths over the last 7 days: Hidalgo, Cameron and Webb. Further up river El Paso County too. 
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been making moves to free up hospital beds in the region. He's suspended non-emergency surgeries throughout the Valley to free up hospital beds. Also, earlier this week he said they are opening new free COVID-19 testing in Edinburg.
The Express-News' @Peggy_OHare really captures the struggle in this story. “We’re in a dire situation," said Dr. Ivan Melendez, a physician and Hidalgo County’s local health authority.
expressnews.com/news/local/art…
expressnews.com/news/local/art…
