WATCH LIVE: Governor Abbott delivers Texas hospital capacity update with top state health & emergency management leaders:
#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19 https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/gov-abbott-to-give-update-on-covid-19-texas-hospital-capacity-tuesday/
Gov. Abbott to give update on COVID-19, Texas’ hospital capacity Tuesday

According to data from DSHS, 2,326 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized as of June 15. On June 1, there were 1,756 hospitalizations reported.

https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/gov-abbott-to-give-update-on-covid-19-texas-hospital-capacity-tuesday/
Press conference begins: "We're here today to let Texans know about the abundant hospital capacity that exists," to treat #COVID19 patients in the state.
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"COVID-19 still exists in Texas" and it will exist for at least a few more months, while vaccines and treatment are developed, Governor @GregAbbott_TX says.

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Fewer Texans test positive for COVID-19 than any other large state, says Abbott. 2nd lowest death rate, Abbott says.
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More important than the daily numbers, are the reasons behind those numbers, Abbott says.

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Ex: 6/10-- most Texans tested positive for #COVID19. 20,504. If you look behind that number & understand why number so high-- you'll see why it's there. Jefferson County (Beaumont) average 12-15 positive cases per day. June 10 they had 537 positives. Inmate data came back at once
Pecos County-- 92 cases in one day. It was data error-- actually 2 cases.

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Today is another record high for cases in Texas, Abbott says: 20,622. Reasons? Collin Co tested high, Abbott says. Avg 25-30 ppl/day. Today 120 ppl positive. Data from an assisted living facility came back and that bumped numbers.

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Hays County: highest number of ppl testing positive-- 265.
Yesterday: 0 positive and day before 0 positive. No report to state on 2 prior days, and these numbers seemingly batched together, Abbott says.

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Reasons for high rates in Hays Co? Majority under age of 30. Results b.c people going to bar-type counties.
Lubbock, Cameron, Bexar... Majority people testing positive under 30. Memorial Day celebrations? Bar gathering? Abbott isn't sure. Informs strategies.
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Warnings from @TexasABC to licensed establishments-- violations could result in 30 day suspension in liquor license, next violation 60 day suspension. Aims to ensure places follow standards. If standards followed, "shouldn't be an increase" of #COVID19

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One-off in Rusk County, Abbott says. Typically not that many positives, but report of 104 positives today. Majority were batch returned from tests conducted in a prison.
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Now that we've gotten thru most of the congregate settings (jails/nursing homes/meat-packing plants) the data should begin to decline a bit, Abbott says.

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Hospitalizations: Only 1 region in state where #COVID19 patients represent more than 10% of hospital beds available-- Galveston County. Avg 6.3% beds occupied in state are #coronavirus patients.

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There's an abundant supply of hospital beds in Texas, @GovAbbott says.
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Abbott:
In DFW-- 60+ more people needing beds today. 250 more beds available
In Houston-- 65 more people needing beds today. 183 more beds available.
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Treatment: state sending remdesivir (anti-viral drug) to hospitals around the state. Also experimenting with treating people on their stomachs instead of backs, to minimize need for ventilator, Abbott says.
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If you don't need to get out, stay home, @GregAbbott_TX says.

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3 strategies: wear a mask, use frequent hand sanitizing, maintain safe distancing practices.
"You can't get COVID by walking around somewhere," Abbott says. But these measures help prevent spread.
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Abbott mentions asymptomatic cases. You may not know you have it-- that's why important to wear face mask to go out, Governor says.
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Abbott did wear a face mask to today's press conference, but removed it for the press conference. Aides in past have said it's to ensure he's heard clearly.
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"We do not have to choose between returning to jobs or protecting healthcare," Abbott says about coexisting with #COVID19.

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"Jobs can be maintained without jeopardizing the health of the community," Abbott says.

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"I have good news for you," Abbott says before handing things off to Dr Zerwas.

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Dr Zerwas shares total bed data:
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More data from Dr Zerwas:
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Surge levels, per Dr Zerwas. I’m fairly certain we’ve been operating in levels 5 and 4. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
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Regional DFW bed data:
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Regional bed capacity for Houston area:

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Tyler region bed capacity:

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El Paso regional bed capacity:

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Zerwas says he calls and talks to hospitals in these regions to ask about their needs and what suggestions they have for state. Abbott participated in call this morning, Zerwas said.

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Here’s the data for Amarillo and Abilene:

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Here’s the data for Amarillo and Abilene: #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Here’s the data for Amarillo and Abilene: #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Laredo & RGV bed capacity

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San Antonio and Austin bed capacity

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San Antonio and Austin bed capacity #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
San Antonio and Austin bed capacity #txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Alternate care site capacity should need to surge happens:

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We have incredibly robust healthcare system in state of TX, Dr Zerwas says. There's also healthcare needs outside of the virus, and we're adept to handle that, he says.
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Going back to graph with different levels, says we’re at level 5.

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Increased rates are occurring at a manageable level, @TexasDSHS Commissioner Dr John Hellerstedt says.
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Masking, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette all very important, Hellerstedt says. "We've kept COVID at bay" and "dealt with it successfully" Hellerstedt says of first wave. On other side, still a majority who did not get infected and don't have immunity, so could be infected.
Next up-- @chiefkidd @TDEM says state in partnership with FEMA have distributed 4.4 million face shields into the market, 1.1B gloves, 102 million masks.
Also have stockpile holding on to, Kidd says.

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Hospital occupancy increase raises concerns but Texans shouldn't be alarmed. "Plenty of room to expand beds," & there are thousands of beds available & more to surge into if needed, Abbott says. State could reduce non-emergency surgical procedures if needed.
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Steady decline in areas where state saw outbreaks in nursing homes, meatpacking plants, and jails, Abbott says, using Amarillo as example.

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Q&A: Ability to balance economy and health.
Gov: There has been increase in positive tests (some explanation- jail settings). Memorial Day time period and weeks after that-- people may not be practicing safe standards so might contribute to increase.
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Q: still good idea to have state GOP convention still in TX? (slated for Houston soon)
A: Certain safe strategies to make sure people can gather without spreading virus. Participants likely will spread out to avoid close gathering.

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Q: College football games playing with more fans? Basketball/volleyball/etc
Abbott says he's discussed with athletic leaders. IT's more than seating. It's entryways, etc.
Each stadium different.
State docs going to bless good gameplans.

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Q: masks shown to be best tool to contain spread. Response?
A: Everybody on this panel makes clear that wearing a mask is "very important."

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Abbott takes shot at Dallas County judge who has been critical of state's response.
Abbott says no need to jail people. Should take advantage of tools at their disposal, instead they haven't "lifted a finger"

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Q: in-person summer schools have started in some areas. Message for returning to school?
A: Returning to school is important. Anticipate announcement later this week or next week. Abbott's expectation is students will return to classroom settings.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Does total bed capacity include adult psychiatric beds? Zerwas says no-- those are excluded from the data.
But some areas have been able to navigate bed availability that includes psych beds.
Zerwas says CHILD psych beds ARE included in the data.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19
Link to slide show presentation:
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/PPT_6.16.20.pdf
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