Gov. Abbott halts elective surgeries in large cities as COVID-19 fills up hospitals
CORONAVIRUS
Elective surgeries suspended in Travis, Bexar, Dallas and Harris counties
by:
Wes Wilson
Posted: Jun 25, 2020 / 09:21 AM CDT / Updated: Jun 25, 2020 / 10:20 AM CDT
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, delivers remarks at a press conference on June 22, 2020, relating to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the state. He warned Texans that further measures might be taken to restrict the reopening process if citizens do not adhere to the guidelines outlined by the state. (Nexstar Photo/Wes Rapaport)
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Thursday, immediately suspending elective surgeries in four of the largest counties in the state, including Travis County, a precautionary move he said should help preserve hospital capacity.
Doctors in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Travis counties will not be able to perform surgery unless it is “medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition or to preserve the life of a patient.”
“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,” Abbott said. “These four counties have experienced significant increases in people being hospitalized due to COVID-19.”