As COVID spreads, Abbott allows more oversight on gatherings, enacts child care rules

Fort Worth Star-Telegram - 6/24/2020

Jun. 24--Citing a rise in cases of the novel coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott granted local officials greater authority Tuesday to impose restrictions on large outdoor gatherings. He also directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to enact COVID-19 health and safety standards at child care centers after the agency had repealed its earlier requirements.

Abbott issued a proclamation Tuesday that amends his previous executive order to allow mayors and county judges to impose additional restrictions on outdoor gatherings estimated to have more than 100 people. Previously, local officials were only permitted to impose restrictions for gatherings of more than 500 people.

At the start of the month, Abbott had permitted large outdoor gatherings in anticipation of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday and celebrations. However, public health experts have pointed to large gatherings, like those that occurred over Memorial Day weekend, as a possible catalyst for a rise in new cases.

On June 12, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission had repealed its emergency rules first implemented in April that required child care centers to take the temperature of children, parents and staff, alter pick-up and drop-off operations and more.

Abbott said both decisions were based off of data showing an increase in COVID-19 transmission tied to large gatherings and child care centers.

"These are just some of the steps Texas will take to contain the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations," Abbott said in a statement Tuesday.

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Texas reported a new single day-high of coronavirus cases Tuesday and reached a new all-time high of hospitalized COVID-19 patients for the 12th straight day.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 5,489 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and 4,092 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Tuesday's hospitalizations were a jump of 381 patients from the previous record of 3,711 hospitalized Monday.

After reaching a recent low of 4.27% on May 26, the state's seven-day average infection rate has more than doubled and was at 9.76% Monday, according to DSHS.

During a press conference Monday, Abbott said COVID-19 is spreading at an "unacceptable rate," but had declined to reinstate restrictions. He said closing down Texas "will always be the last option," but warned that if new cases, hospitalizations and the infection rate continue to double over the next month, "that would mean that we are in an urgent situation where tougher actions will be required."

State leaders have doubled down on the need for Texans to recommit to best practices, including wearing a face mask, staying home as much as possible and staying 6 feet apart when around others.

It's a point Abbott reiterated Tuesday, stressing "there is no substitute for personal responsibility."

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