AUSTIN, Texas – Texas opened an additional facility on Tuesday to expand hospital capacity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in central Texas, according to Governor Greg Abbott’s Office.
The site opened Tuesday at the Austin Convention Center. The facility will provide central Texas with additional hospital beds, medical equipment, and medical personnel to assist with the region’s COVID-19 response. The facility has a capacity of 25 beds and can expand to more beds if needed, according to the governor’s office.
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The State of Texas has established the Austin-Travis County Alternate Care Site to expand #COVID19 hospital capacity in central Texas. @TDEM @TravisCountyTX @CATRAC_TX @austintexasgov https://t.co/E1WOz4OH9e
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) January 12, 2021
“This Alternate Care Site in central Texas will reduce the burden on local hospitals and help ensure that Texans diagnosed with COVID-19 receive the care they need,” Abbott is quoted as saying in a news release. “I thank our partners in Travis County, the City of Austin, and the Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council for working collaboratively with the State of Texas to establish this facility. We will continue to provide the resources and support that our communities need to keep Texans safe.”
The facility is administered by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, in partnership with Travis County, the City of Austin, and the Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council.