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On Aug. 9, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced how the state will take action as Texas faces a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
According to a statement from the Texas Governor's Office, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has enlisted the help of out-of-state health care personnel to shore up health care facilities throughout the state.
"Taking action to help mitigate the recent rise in #COVID19 cases," Abbott wrote in an Aug. 9 Twitter post. "The State of Texas is increasing health care facility staffing and capacity, expanding antibody infusion centers and increasing vaccine availability."
To increase hospitals' ability to handle the influx of patients, the governor has requested hospitals to voluntarily postpone elective medical procedures to boost capacity for COVID patients.
Boosting vaccine availability is also among the steps taken by Abbott to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
"Texans can help bolster our efforts by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and it is our best defense against this virus. Texans can visit covidvaccine.texas.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near them."
Texans can call the TDEM's State Mobile Vaccine Program at 844-90-TEXAS and selecting Option 3 to schedule a group appointment. Homebound Texans can select option 1 to request a home appointment with a mobile vaccine team.
Abbott is also directing the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and DSHS to open additional COVID-19 antibody infusion centers across the state. These centers will increase bed capacity and decrease the burden on hospitals by treating COVID-19 patients whose conditions do not warrant hospitalization. Treatment is administered with therapeutic drugs that will keep their condition from worsening and potentially requiring hospital care.
Patients must meet certain criteria and have a referral from a doctor to be admitted at an antibody infusion center.