DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – With a rising number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott addressed recent speculation over a potential lock down when speaking with WBAP’s ‘Rick Roberts Show’ on Tuesday.
“I’ve been getting phone calls over the past day or two wondering if there’s a lock-down coming,” said Abbott. “Listen, there’s no lock-down coming right now.”
The Governor told Roberts that if Texans want to ensure there is no lock-down in the future, they should wear a mask in public.
“There are, percentage wise, so far more many people today who have COVID-19 in Texas than in late may, it’s almost unfathomable,” said Abbott. “When you do go out into public you really don’t have a clue if the person you’re encountering has COVID-19.”
Abbott said his recent mask mandate was a last resort to ensure hospitals don’t become overwhelmed.
Hospitalization rates and the number of deaths, are the most significant numbers his medical teams are looking at right now.
“When we start getting above 50% of the ICU units, that is a caution flag,” said Abbott. “And if we get above 75% then we really need to do something.
The DFW Hospital Council said Tuesday that 74% of ICU beds in the metroplex are currently occupied.
The Governor told Roberts that he believes hospitals will remain constrained, and some may lose capacity in coming weeks, but that the state will see the “fruits” of decisions to wear masks and social distance take effect in about two weeks.
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