Governor pauses elective surgery in Falls County

Today, Governor Greg Abbott stopped elective surgery in six Central Texas counties, including Falls County, out of concern for hospital bed availability. 

The original order, released June 25, only covered Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties, but has now been extended to 105 additional counties. 

"The State of Texas continues to implement strategies to help ensure ample supply of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients," said Governor Abbott. "By expanding this directive to include the counties within these 11 TSAs, we are freeing up more resources to address upticks in COVID-19 related cases.”

The amended order directs hospitals in these counties to postpone surgeries and procedures that are not medically necessary at this time. Exceptions include surgeries to correct a serious medical condition and 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. The patient’s physician can determine necessity of these procedures.

Bosque, Falls, Hill, Limestone, McLennan, and San Saba counties are the Central Texas counties that have been restricted.

Overall, Central Texas now has 5,853 coronavirus cases and has had a total of 42 deaths. Though Falls County has reported zero fatalities, 30 of these deaths were in the surrounding counties. Fifteen from McLennan, 13 from Bell, one from Limestone, and one from Milam County.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 9,782 new cases of the virus Today, taking the state’s total to 230,346.

Of that number, 109,102 cases are active, 118,326 patients have recovered, and 2,918 have died.

A record-breaking 105 of those deaths were recorded today as well, making it the first day Texas has had deaths in the three digit numbers.

More than 2.6 million tests have been administered and the virus has been reported in all but eight of the state’s 254 counties.

“The State of Texas will continue to do everything we can to mitigate the spread of this virus and support our hospitals and health care professionals as they care for their fellow Texans,” Abbott stated. “We must all come together and continue to practice social distancing, wear a face covering in public, and stay home when possible."

Masks are required for entry into any business and in public places, per Abbott’s executive order released on Thursday, July 2. The order requires Texans living in counties with more than 20 active coronavirus cases (Falls County has 24 as of today) to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth while in a business or other building open to the public, as well as outdoor public spaces, whenever social distancing is not possible. But it provides several exceptions, including for children who are younger than 10 years old, people who have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, people who are eating or drinking, and people who are exercising outdoors.

For more information about coronavirus prevention or what to do if you are sick, head to www.coronavirus.gov. Follow cases in Falls County by going to the COVID-19 dashboard found at  www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus

The Marlin Democrat

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
Fax:(254) 883-6553