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AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order to suspend elective surgeries in Travis County and three other Texas counties: Bexar, Dallas, and Harris.
The governor says he's doing so to ensure hospital bed availability for COVID-19 patients as Texas is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Under the order, the governor directs all hospitals in these counties to postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately, medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition or to preserve the life of a patient who without immediate performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death, as determined by the patient’s physician.
RELATED: Medical professionals urge public to take COVID-19 threat seriously, follow safety measures
“As Texas faces a rise in COVID-19 cases, we are focused on both slowing the spread of this virus and maintaining sufficient hospital capacity for COVID-19 patients,” said Governor Abbott in a news release. “These four counties have experienced significant increases in people being hospitalized due to COVID-19 and today’s action is a precautionary step to help ensure that the hospitals in these counties continue to have ample supply of available beds to treat COVID-19 patients."
"As we work to contain this virus, I urge all Texans to do their part to help contain the spread by washing their hands regularly, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing," the governor adds.
Gov. Abbott so far has resisted calls for a statewide mandate. He says he has faith in Texans to do the right thing when it comes to keeping each other safe.
RELATED: Abbott encourages Texans to wear masks in public, but is not ordering statewide mandate
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Abbott encourages Texans to wear masks in public, but is not ordering statewide mandate
Abbott told FOX 7 Austin that having local officials adopt face-covering policies is the right approach.
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