Governor Abbott provides update on COVID-19 surge response in Amarillo

Abbott said he believes that Potter and Randall counties are ready for phase two of the states reopening this Friday.

AMARILLO, Texas - On Wednesday Gov. Greg Abbott gave an update on COVID-19 cases in the Amarillo area. With 2,291 confirmed cases in Potter, and Randall County and 2,176 active cases Wednesday, Amarillo is one of the hardest-hit areas in Texas.

“Hot spots typically relate to three different categories. One is an increase in people testing positive. Another is an increase in people testing positive in meatpacking plants, and a third is those testing positive in jails or prisons. Amarillo has gone through the challenge of facing all three of those overlapping.” said Abbott.

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He added that the state has had outbreaks in several nursing homes, meatpacking plants, and a jail, so the state sent a surge response team. Surge response teams help with testing, medical supplies, and containment in COVID-19 hot spots.

Abbott says he also spoke with Vice President Mike Pence about the challenges Amarillo faces. “...and the Vice President just immediately said ‘okay here’s what we will send.’ That included a CDC team, it included more testing supplies. It included other additional types of supplies to make sure that we would be able to robustly respond to the challenges on the ground.” said Abbott.

FOX 7 Discussion: Gov. Abbott on Texas’s response to COVID-19 pandemic

Gov. Greg Abbott joins Marcel Clarke on FOX 7 Austin to discuss the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially hot spots like in Amarillo.

Both CDC and state surge response teams remain in Amarillo.

On May 15, Potter and Randall County saw the highest number of people test positive -- with 714 cases. Tuesday 13 people, reportedly tested positive. “We needed help, we asked for help, and help came,” said Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson.

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Abbott said he believes that Potter and Randall counties are ready for phase two of the states reopening this Friday. Randall and Potter along with Deaf Smith, Moore, and El Paso counties, were ordered to delay phase two because they were considered hot spots.

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