Department of Defense sending medical task force to the Rio Grande Valley

[Artos]

Maybe the rumors of the county shutting down are true...I had heard the guard was coming & closing on Friday. Crazy.

https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/department-of-defense-sending-medical-task-force-to-the-rio-grande-valley/

Additional resources are on their way to the Rio Grande Valley to help with the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a release, the Department of Defense will send a U.S. Army Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force to provide medical and support professionals needed in RGV hospitals.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management is working to house patients in hotels to provide additional hospital capacity in Cameron and Hidalgo counties.

“As the State of Texas mitigates the spread of COVID-19, we are continuing to work closely with our local and federal partners to identify outbreaks and provide our communities with the resources they need to keep Texans safe,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I am grateful to our federal partners at the Department of Defense for sending these teams to the Valley and working within the community to protect public health and combat this virus. These teams, coupled with our newly established partnership with local hotels, will aid in our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure adequate hospital capacity in the Valley.”

[WItoTX]

Sweet, more rumors. Trump asked that hospitals start reporting numbers directly to HH, using the National Guard. Probably what is going on.

[Artos]

Update:

https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/watch-live-hidalgo-county-judge-gives-covid-19-update/

Hidalgo County: More than 1,200 positive COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths reported on July 8


Editor’s note: These cases were reported July 8, not July 15 like previously reported.

Edinburg, Texa (KVEO)—Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez and county officials announce there was a total of 1,274 positive COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths reported on Wednesday in the county.

During a virtual press conference, county officials urged residents to stay home, to wash their hands and to wear a face covering.

According to Health and Human Service director Eduardo Olivarez, in the last 14 days there has been upwards of 6,500 tests that have been done by military within the county.

Olivarez adds the county has 741 confirmed COVID-19 patients in the hospitals and 194 patients in ICU.

“The message is clear, if you have tested positive for COVID-19… stay home… stay home. You must adhere to the fact that this is a national emergency” said Olivarez.

During the press conference, Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra explained how the department is enforcing Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide mask mandate.

“The order states that if you are caught not wearing facial covering, you will be issued a written warning for the first time violation. And, if we catch you subsequently you will be subject to a fine of $240.” said Guerra.

Guerra also added that the Sheriff, Constable’s office, and some police departments in the county will be serving people who has tested positive for COVID-19 with “control orders”

This means the person must stay home and quarantine.

“If you are caught violating these orders, you will be subject to additional criminal penalties” added Guerra.

Emergency management Coordinator Ricardo Saldaña said the region has been requesting state assistance for personnel and medical equipment.

“There has been a request for our region of over 2,500 medical personnel. A 1,000 of those have been filled in our region” said Saldaña.

[buck_wild]

Same thing here in Harris Co but it's the military medical staff helping open a new facility (old nursing home) to give the local medical workers a break from the long hours and stress. They aren't here to shut the county down, at least not is Harris Co

[Zjesse22]

They just had a meeting earlier today with 35 deaths before noon, who knows what the true number will be by the end of the day

[Strummer]

My mother in law is in the hospital In Victoria with this mess . She started getting military nurses 3 days ago . Victoria had been hit hard with the corona . #1 in towns with 100k residents.