Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – Responding to an emergency request by Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, the State of Texas early Sunday said it would be sending nurses from other parts of the state to bolster the staffing of at least one Hidalgo County hospital.
“We have been monitoring our hospital capacity and have concluded that the medical workers who are working tirelessly in our community could use additional help,” Judge Cortez said Sunday morning. “Therefore, late Friday I asked the Governor and the State’s Emergency Management Operation for help by providing additional medical personnel. This is welcome relief at a time when the number of people needing hospital care continues to rise.”
Details of the support are still being worked out. The hospital receiving the support is not being immediately named, but all area hospitals are working together to secure support.
Additional positive cases are currently being compiled and processed by Hidalgo County epidemiologists and are expected to be reported later Sunday reflecting results from all weekend.
Sunday’s announcement comes as the Hidalgo County Office of Emergency Management issued a countywide alert urging residents to stay at home for their safety. The alert read:
“ATTENTION: The COVID-19 virus continues to spread across Hidalgo County. Please stay home. Protect yourself and others. If it is necessary to leave home, wear an appropriate facial covering and avoid gatherings with those outside your household. STAY HOME. STAY SAFE. STOP THE SPREAD. A message from the Hidalgo County Office of Emergency Management.”
