Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) says the state has distributed millions of pieces of protective equipment for health care workers and first responders and that millions more are on the way.
During a news conference Monday Abbott gave a region-by-region breakdown of 1.7 million masks, 30,000 face shields, 2.7 million gloves, 170,000 gowns and 7,500 coveralls that have been distributed around the state.
Abbott said in the last 24 hours the state has received 2.5 million masks and that 3 million more will arrive by April 11.
“It is vital that our health care workers and first responders on the front lines have the personal protective equipment they need to stay safe as they respond to COVID-19,” Abbott said. “The Supply Chain Strike Force is working closely with the Texas Division of Emergency Management to exhaust all avenues for the purchasing and delivery of these critical supplies."
Abbott said there were 8,857 ventilators available statewide last week, down to 6,080 this week. That does not include 7,350 anesthesia machines with vents that could be used, if needed, he said.
Abbott also said he was on a conference call earlier in the day with Dr. Deborah Birx, the Coronavirus Response Coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and that Birx said the mitigation efforts undertaken by states appeared to be working and are bending the curve -- but that she also made it clear if people let up now, all efforts would be for nothing.
As for travel restrictions, Abbott said the Texas Department of Public Safety has now established checkpoints on the border between Texas and Louisiana.
Anyone traveling from Louisiana into Texas must self quarantine for 14 days, unless exempted by Abbott’s order. Additionally, the governor has previously said anyone flying into Texas from the tri-state area, Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago or Detroit must self quarantine.
*Map locations are approximate, central locations for the city and are not meant to indicate where actual infected people live.
