Area hospitals hit 15 percent capacity for COVID-related admissions

The Texas Department of State Health Services has divided the state into Trauma Service Areas (TSAs) for the purpose of monitoring COVID case counts and implementing executive orders from the office of Governor Abbott regionally.

Morris, Titus, Bowie, Cass, Delta, Hopkins, Lamar, and Red River Counties make up TSA-F. Regions in which COVID positive patients make up 15% or more of the total admitted patients within hospitals for seven or more consecutive days are now subject to Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32. 

According to Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commissioner of Texas Department of State Health Services, hospitals that service TSA-F have reached the 15 percent capacity threshold for at least seven days, prompting a return to the terms of the executive order. This means that no elective procedures will be performed at the service area’s hospitals. In addition, bars in the area must close, while restaurants and businesses can remain open, but at 50 percent capacity.

The Steel Country Bee is working to get updated information from Morris County Judge Doug Reeder and area hospitals. Please see Thursday’s issue of The Steel Country Bee for more information.