Texas Gov Halts Elective Surgeries As Hospitals Fill Up

The Texas Tribune reports:

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday morning he is once again putting a stop to elective surgeries to preserve bed space for coronavirus patients — but this time the prohibition only applies to Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Travis counties, four areas where the number of patients hospitalized with virus is quickly progressing.

Just Tuesday, Abbott stressed that hospital capacity in Texas was “abundant.” A day later, Abbott acknowledged in a TV interview that capacity issues in some parts of the state “may necessitate a localized strategy” instead of a return to statewide action.

Statewide, the number of hospitalizations has reached record highs for a full two weeks, soaring to 4,739 on Thursday morning and tripling since Memorial Day.

BREAKING: Texas @GovAbbott is putting any further reopening of the state’s economy on hold. pic.twitter.com/lBr6LwU5gq

— Matt Largey (@mattlargey) June 25, 2020