Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a “state disaster” related to COVID-19. Only moments ago, Governor Abbott gave a public statement outlining strategies for dealing with the outbreak in Texas.
Watch here:
LIVE: Texas Gov. Abbott shares latest updates on coronavirus. https://t.co/i4es0NuGGD
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 13, 2020
In his press conference, Governor Abbott announced that AT&T is waiving internet data usage fees for customers who do not have unlimited use, as a way to support internet use for people working from home and for students who will be working online.
GOV ABBOTT announces AT&T waving internet data usage fees for customers who do not have unllimited use to support work at home and students on line pic.twitter.com/ZapNYXPxeR
— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) March 13, 2020
The Texas governor also announced the first drive-thru COVID-19 testing that will open in San Atonio, TX. Abbott clarified that first responders, health care workers, and high-risk patients will get first priority.
Abbott announces first drive-thru #covid19 testing. It’s in San Antonio and is opening now. First responders and healthcare workers & high risk patients get first dibs. #txlege #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/t4JX1qauQk
— Wes Rapaport (@wesrap) March 13, 2020
Texas Tribune – Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday declared that the new coronavirus is a statewide public health disaster said that Texas is on the verge of being able to significantly ramp up its testing capacity.
At the same time, he announced that he was directing daycares, nursing homes and prisons to limit visitations.
He said San Antonio is opening on Friday the first state drive-through with testing capabilities that will initially prioritize health care workers and high-risk patients.
Abbott also finally clarified the state’s testing history so far and current capabilities. In total, he said there have been 220 Texans tested by either a state public lab or by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are another 75 Texans being tested currently.
On Friday, the state’s testing capacity was 272 people per day, but he said next week that capacity will expand into the thousands.