Aug 9, 2021 - Health

Texas Gov. Abbott calls on hospitals to delay elective procedures as COVID cases surge

Ivana Saric

Texas Governor Greg Abbott — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Photo: Lynda M. Gonzalez-Pool/Getty Images

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced several new initiatives Monday to help address a surge in COVID-19 infections, including asking hospitals to delay nonessential medical procedures in order to free up hospital beds for COVID-19 patients, and requesting out-of-state medical personnel to come help with the surge in cases.

Why it matters: Even as Abbott now makes moves to counter the coronavirus surge, he remains staunchly opposed to public health measures that would mitigate the virus' spread.

State of play: Out-of-state healthcare workers will be brought in to bolster COVID-19 operations, a reversal from the state's policy in July, notes the Texas Tribune.

Abbott also instructed state agencies to open more COVID-19 antibody infusion centers across the state to treat COVID-19 patients with therapeutic drugs.
Abbott also directed state agencies to "increase vaccination availability across the state," per the press release.

The big picture: The new measures did not include a reversal of Abbott's opposition to public health restrictions.

In late July Abbott issued a state-wide ban on mask and vaccine mandates on July 29, saying "the path forward relies on personal responsibility."
Texas schools are also not required to conduct contact tracing.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated.

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Texas Gov. Abbott calls on hospitals to delay elective procedures as COVID cases surge

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