GOV. ABBOTT ORDERS HOSPITALS IN BEXAR, DALLAS, HARRIS, TRAVIS COUNTIES TO POSTPONE ELECTIVE PROCEDURES

  

Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order to halt elective hospital surgeries and procedures in the state’s largest metropolitan areas.

Abbott’s order this (Thursday) morning goes into effect at midnight Saturday, and covers hospitals in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis Counties.

The order directs facilities in those counties to postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not medically necessary to diagnose or correct a serious medical condition or preserve the life of a patient.  However, the prohibition does not apply to surgeries or procedures that do not deplete hospital capacity.

By proclamation, Abbott is allowed to add to or subtract from the list of counties covered by the order.

Abbott’s order comes after he said Wednesday that the state is facing a “massive outbreak” of COVID-19 cases.  He added in a statement today that this action is being taken as 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”.