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Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that the Texas Department of State Health Services arranged deployment of more than 2,500 medical personnel to support hospitals across Texas as COVID-19 cases surge.
The first deployment will be completely funded by the state up until Sept. 30 but further deployments may require split costs with local governments or individual facilities.
DSHS resumes filling city, county and health care facility requests for medical surge staff. DSHS is working to recruit over 2,500 medical personnel to assist hospitals and health care facilities reaching capacity.#TexasDSHSNewsRelease for more info: https://t.co/859tVTRJPT
— Texas DSHS (@TexasDSHS) August 11, 2021
"The State of Texas is taking action to ensure that our hospitals are properly staffed and supported in the fight against COVID-19," Abbott said. "Texans can help bolster the state's efforts to combat the virus by getting vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and it is our best defense against the virus."
DSHS said it is working with staffing agencies to quell the workload "that cannot be met locally," and prioritizing recruiting medical staff from out of state. DSHS has been directed not to utilize staff from other Texas facilities and said health care professionals should work with "counties, cities and other partners to meet needs locally whenever possible."
Facilities that require additional resources can submit a State of Texas Assistance Request, though DSHS is asking that facilities and local governments keep their requests "judicious" as all regions of the state are currently underserved.
The announcement comes as a nurses staffing shortage impacts the state at a time when the Delta variant is spreading quickly. The Texas Nursing Association said the shortage is getting increasingly worse as nurses are "burned out" and leaving the profession.
The Austin-Travis County area's hospitalization rate reached heights facilities haven't seen since January. More people of all ages are contracting the virus and Austin ICUs are nearly at capacity, with only six beds available as of Wednesday evening.
To find a vaccine near you, click here.
- All but one in Ascension Seton ICU unvaccinated - austonia ›
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- Austin down to just six available ICU beds as COVID cases surge ... ›
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- CDC investigates Texas woman hospitalized after J&J vaccine ... ›
Popular
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Show your love for Tito's and for the community this year with a wide selection of not that ugly, uglyish, ugly, uglier, and ugliest holiday sweaters.
There's lots choose from, and plenty of accessories like scarves and socks, plus gear for your dog, too.
All of the items can be purchased online or at the Love, Tito’s Retail Store in Austin, TX. 100% of all net proceeds from online or in-store purchases go to one of the nonprofits we’ve teamed up with.
Click here to see the entire collection in the Tito's store.
🗓 All weekend
Check out this highly anticipated art exhibition with illuminated art along Waller Creek. Tickets are free and the event includes food vendors, dazzling lights, live music, and hands-on activities
All weekend 6 p.m - 10 p.m | 📍Waterloo Park
This iconic holiday tradition lights up for the first time this holiday season starting this weekend! Reserve your spot for an enchanting light and sound performance, delicious hot cocoa, sweet treats, and some overall fun with your friends or family. The show runs till January 6th.
6 p.m and 9 p.m | 📍Mozart's Coffee Roasters - 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
🗓 Saturday
This fitness event is free and open to the public. Get your morning started right with a "Fitness in the park" class for kickboxing! The class will be led by certified instructors and is a great way to get a cardio workout in while also honing your self-defense skills.
10 a.m - 11 a.m | 📍 Metz Park
Support local LBGTQ+ and female artists at this outdoor market with over 150 vendors. Get your holiday shopping out of the way at this event, with vendors for food trucks, handmade goods, raffles, hands on workshops and activities, and more.
Did someone say cheese?! If you're like me and always willing to get your hands on a bowl of mac and cheese, then this event is for you. Check out the Mac and Cheese festival happening this weekend to decide which vendor has. the best mac and cheese for yourself, and enjoy the bar with creative cocktails while you're at it. Tickets start at $45.
11 a.m - 3 p.m | 📍Lantana Place - 7415 Southwest Parkway
