Abbott asks Trump for major disaster declaration, Tarrant County to get $2 million
Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Monday, requesting additional federal support and a declaration of a major disaster in Texas due to the novel coronavirus’ spread.
In his letter, Abbott pointed to the sweeping effects the pandemic has had on Texas, resulting in over 466 local disaster declarations, employees out of work, the cancellation of major events like the annual SXSW festival and a looming shortage of medical personnel and hospital beds.
“Texas is all-in on our response to COVID-19 and we need Washington’s financial assistance as provided for under the law to support our efforts to limit the spread of this virus,” Abbott said in a statement Monday. “COVID-19-related expenses and obligations are already exceeding $50 million and that will only rise as our efforts continue. Additional federal funding is essential for us to maintain our aggressive course of action to protect our state.”
While Texas has enacted a slew of measures, such as statewide restrictions limiting gatherings, closing schools and restricting dining-in at restaurants, Abbott noted that Texas is seeing a significant rise in its number of confirmed cases.
As of Monday afternoon, there were 352 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Texas and eight deaths related to the virus, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
With such a populous state and over 3.6 million people who are 65 years or older, “even a small infected percentage can be overwhelming,” Abbott wrote. And Texas’ rural areas with limited health care resources are facing challenges as the virus spreads.
“For example, Shackelford County was forced to close their one medical clinic due to a lack of (personal protective equipment),” Abbott wrote. “This could continue to occur in areas of the state with limited medical care resources as COVID-19 spreads to those communities.”
Abbott’s request follows his announcement Monday that Texas has received $36.9 million in federal funding as part of the emergency coronavirus bill passed by Congress, and a chunk will go directly to Tarrant County.
The funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are part of Texas’ initial funding allotment, and of the $36.9 million allocated to the Texas Department of State Health Services, $17.6 million, or 48%, will be retained by the agency for statewide response and to assist areas of the state that lack health departments, according to a news release.
The remaining $19.4 million, or 52% of the funds, will be distributed to 43 local health departments to assist with their response to the novel coronavirus, such as COIVD-19 testing and to preserve healthcare infrastructure.
Tarrant County will receive nearly $1.49 million from the CDC’s grant, in addition to nearly $560,000 for the use of the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for federal screenings, Lara Anton, a DSHS spokeswoman wrote in an email Monday afternoon.
Local governments have been encouraged to keep track of any COVID-19 related expenses for possible reimbursement.
In a statement Monday, Abbott thanked President Donald Trump, the Texas delegation and leaders in Congress for quickly passing the aid package.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 5:15 PM.
