Governor Greg Abbott sets personal veto record, kills bill on sickle cell disease registry
The bill by State Representative Jarvis Johnson aimed to use the registry to help with a cure and treatment for sickle cell disease in Texas, but Governor Abbott vetoed it, writing it “would force hospitals to share reams of sensitive health information … putting the privacy of patients at risk.”
Governor Abbott sends immediate resources to Houston as city remains under boil water notice
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to send all necessary resources to the city of Houston after a boil water notice was issued following a power outage that impacted three water treatment plants.
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Harris County flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of fallen Pct. 4 Deputy Kareem Atkins
At the request of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Governor Greg Abbott today permitted Texas flags in Harris County to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the life and public service of Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Deputy Karrem Atkins, who was shot and killed Saturday in an ambush outside a north Houston bar.
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Regeneron antibody therapy available to COVID-19 patients with certain risk factors
After Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement Tuesday that he tested positive for Covid 19, his communications director says he is receiving the Regeneron antibody infusion therapy.Governor Abbott said he was not feeling any symptoms which has sparked some questions as to who is able to get the monoclonal antibody treatment.
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Gov. Abbott announces $9M in federal funding to combat COVID-19 in Texas nursing homes
HOUSTON – Texas Gov. We must continue to protect our most vulnerable populations, mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Texas, and protect public health.”To apply, visit the Texas Health and Human Services website. As of Tuesday, 682 nursing homes and 267 assisted living facilities in Texas reported at least one case of coronavirus. The Houston Public Health Region reported:Facilities in Houston Public Health Region Cases Deaths Recoveries Nursing homes 1,693 222 586 Assisted Living Facilities 247 36 113Learn more about Texas’ public health regions here and the Houston public health region here. See more information on coronavirus in Texas nursing homes here.
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Gov. Abbott issues order to close bars at noon after spike in COVID-19 cases; restaurants to reduce capacity
Greg Abbott has issued an executive order to close bars and certain businesses as part of the state’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but capacity must not exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020. The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health. Abbott’s executive order here.
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Did Texas follow federal guidelines?
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the seven-day average positivity rate dropped for 11 days in April before hitting a plateau. Texas’ positivity rate started spiking on June 14. Daily new COVID-19 case chart (kprc)“I do think, generally speaking, that the state did follow the guidelines from Dr. Fauci, Dr. Birx, the CDC,” said Republican Senator John Cornyn. The World Health Organization recommended a state should not state reopening until it sees a positivity rate of 5% or lower for 14-days. As of June 24, Texas positivity rate is above 11% and the reason Governor Abbott decided to pause a further reopening of Texas.
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Gov. Abbott extends disaster declaration for coronavirus pandemic in Texas
Greg Abbott signed an order Sunday, extending the disaster declaration for all Texas counties in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. “By extending my Disaster Declaration, we are ensuring the state of Texas continues to have adequate resources and capabilities to support our communities and protect public health,” Abbott said. The governor’s proclamation stated that the coronavirus poses an immediate threat of disaster for all of Texas. About 1,300 people are hospitalized from coronavirus-related complications, according to the state health department. On Saturday, he announced that, with the help of the federal government, the city and county testing sites would be doubling its testing capacity.
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Texas Health and Human Services to provide more than $168M in emergency SNAP food benefits
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Health and Human Services will provide more than $168 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to help people in the state during the COVID-19 response, Gov. HHS got federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the maximum allowable number of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size, according to a news release. Anyone receiving SNAP benefits is included. “SNAP, commonly referred to as the food stamp program, supplements the budget of the working poor. "The additional food subsidy announced today by Governor Abbott, although still supplemental, will help fill a portion of the financial gap created by the economic crisis resulting from this pandemic.
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Drive-thru coronavirus testing could open in Houston as early as next week
HOUSTON – Drive-thru coronavirus testing could be available in Houston as early as next week, according to Governor Greg Abbott. Abbott also announced major testing corporations like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics will join efforts for coronavirus testing next week. The drive-thru approach for coronavirus testing has been implemented in other states. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner revealed they are working on planning and logistics for a drive-thru facility. He also said, like in other cities, the drive-thru testing facility will require a doctor’s note.