Texas expands coronavirus testing at state-run psychiatric hospitals and living centers
Texas is expanding its coronavirus testing at 23 state-operated inpatient psychiatric hospitals and living centers throughout the state.
Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to expand COVID-19 tests to all patients, residents and employees at each of the facilities across the state.
“By expanding widespread COVID-19 testing to our state hospitals and state-supported living centers, we are better equipped to identify and mitigate these potential hot spots and protect our most vulnerable populations,” Abbott said in a release.
HHSC operates 13 state-supported living centers, which provide 24-hour residential care, medical services and vocational training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Texas also operates 10 state hospitals that provide acute inpatient psychiatric care for adults, children and adolescents.
At the Denton State Supported Living Center, 122 people have tested positive for COVID-19, including 55 residents. It has been weeks since Denton County reported any new cases at the facility.
The state reports 161 patients and residents have tested positive across 23 facilities, including 107 recoveries. According to state health officials, there’s at least one positive patient or resident at seven of the 23 facilities. The state reports fewer than 10 residents and patients have died from COVID-19. The state is not reporting overall totals of infected employees, but 67 have tested positive at the Denton living center. There are about 18,000 employees working at the 23 facilities.
“By expanding testing to everyone in our facilities, we will increase our ability to further protect everyone who lives and works in our facilities and prevent the spread of the virus throughout our system,” HHS Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson said.
Until this expansion, patients, residents and employees were only tested if they displayed COVID-19 symptoms or had possible exposure to the coronavirus.
This change will help the state “assess the scope and extent of possible infections at facilities statewide,” the release said. The new round of testing will cover those who have shown no signs of COVID-19 or have not been tested within the last 30 days.
COVID-19 cases over time
Coronavirus daily case counts over time by local counties in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex. Tap the arrow button to replay the animation. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services and local counties.
