Gov. Abbott Addresses Measures to Curb Covid-19 Trends

AUSTIN, TX –  On Monday afternoon Gov. Greg Abbott gave an update on the current condition of the state following a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas recently.

Governor Abbott said that while we are currently seeing a surge in cases, the rising trend can be controlled in five ways which include encouraging people to wear masks in public, shutting down river parks due to overcrowding, working with hospitals to increase testing in "hotspot areas", and having the TABC shut down bars that are violating coronavirus social distancing policies. 

In his remarks Governor Abbott reiterated that "Closing down Texas again will always be a last option", addressed the issue of citizens wearing masks, and mentioned how masks are more important now than ever.

Although Governor Abbott did admit that he was not mandating mask use during the early advancements of the coronavirus pandemic in Texas when the numbers were not increasing, however he did note that recent scientific data indicates how masks can hinder any further spread of coronavirus moving forward, and could prevent the possible closure of the Texas economy.

"if we do not start wearing masks to slow the spread of covid-19, it could result in actually having to close back down," Governor Abbott said on Monday.

Also to mention, cumulative case counts in Texas spiked by 3,866 on Sunday according to state health officials, bringing the total number of cases up to 111,601.

This spike was the second-highest daily increase the state has seen, and the sixth day in a row with at least 3,000 new lab-confirmed cases reported according to DSHS.

Monday's update from the DSHS showed the following current coronavirus conditions throughout the state:

• 114,881 - Cases Reported
• 2,192 - Fatalities Reported
• 69,190 - Recoveries Reported
• 43, 499 - Active Cases Reported

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