Texas Bracing For 'Exponential' Coronavirus Spread: Governor

AUSTIN, TX — Cases of new coronavirus in Texas will likely rise exponentially in the coming days, and testing for the respiratory ailment could jump to 10,000 weekly by this Friday, the governor said during a Monday press conference.

"You're going to see an exponential increase in the number of people testing positive on a daily basis," Gov. Greg Abbott asserted during a press briefing staged in San Antonio.

At last check, there were six confirmed cases in the state capital of Austin according to Austin Public Healthand 57 statewide as recorded by Texas Health and Human Services — the greatest number of cases in Harris County, with ten confirmed cases of the respiratory ailment.

Watch the full press conference below:

Speaking from the San Antonio Emergency Operations Center, Abbott apprised the public about the state's response to the threat while updating on state efforts in responding to the respiratory ailment now deemed COVID-19.

Abbott said the state currently providing testing to health care professionals and first responders in San Antonio before being expanded to the testing of individuals who have obtained a doctor’s order for COVID-19 testing.

The governor reminded Texans that COVID-19 testing is also currently available through local health authorities and private providers, adding that the state is working with federal and local officials to replicate this model for drive-through testing sites in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth. While not mentioned by the governor, the Baylor Scott & White clinic in North Austin also has a drive-thru testing launched on Friday. Those availing themselves of the convenient feature must first complete an online screening form on the clinic's website.

Joining Abbott during his press briefing were outgoing Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen; San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg; Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff; Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt; Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd; Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath and members of the Texas Legislature.

“I thank Mayor Nirenberg and the City of San Antonio for leading the way to establish the state’s first drive-through testing site,” Abbott in a subsequent prepared statement. “One of our top priorities in response to COVID-19 is to expand testing capabilities throughout the state. I appreciate our local partners for their leadership, as well as their swift action to protect the health and safety of their communities."

He sought to assure the public as to the state's access and availability of resources: "In addition to expanding testing capabilities, the State of Texas continues to take actions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and ensure Texans have the resources and supplies they need," he said. "I urge all Texans to heed the guidance of state, federal, and local agencies, and to continue taking precautionary steps to protect their health and the health of those around them.”

The San Antonio Fire Department has provided a video that includes additional information, as well as the proper procedure when using drive through testing sites. The video can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/397869031.

Abbott also highlighted various measures taken by the State of Texas since his Disaster Declaration to mitigate the spread of the virus, including:

• Fast-tracking temporary licensing for out-of-state physicians, physician assistants, retired physicians and nurses to assist with in-person and tele=medicine services.
• Distributing an allotment of supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile, which includes surgical masks, respirators, face shields, etc., throughout the state.
• Waiving certain trucking regulations to streamline the flow of goods and supplies to grocery and retail stores throughout Texas.
• Waiving laws that prohibit trucks from the alcohol industry from delivering supplies to grocery stores.
• Waiving regulations to ensure students enrolled in work-study programs will continue to receive critical funding while campuses close due to their response to COVID-19.
• Waiving STAAR testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year.