Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Article X in the state budget, effectively defunding entire legislature. Eric Gay/APTexas Governor Greg Abbott will send 2,500 medical personnel to hospitals fighting COVID-19.In the last week, nearly 3,000 COVID-related hospitalizations have been reported in the state.Abbott tried to ban the use of face-masks, but it has not been well received in some parts of the state.Check out more stories from Insider's business page.Texas Governor. Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Department of State Health Services would deploy more than 2500 medical personnel to hospitals in Texas as COVID-19 cases rise.According to a press release, it is not clear when the first wave will dispatch medical personnel. However, the state stated that it will finance the deployment up until September 30.According to The Texas Tribune, the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations in Texas has increased faster than any other time during this pandemic.According to DSHS, more than 10,000 Texans had been admitted to hospital as of August 10. This is an increase of almost 3,000 in the last week.Abbott stated in a press release that Texas was taking steps to support COVID-19 and ensure that hospitals have adequate staffing."Texans can support the state's efforts against the virus by being vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine, which is both safe and effective, is our best defense against this virus.According to The Tribune 53 of the state's hospitals have exhausted their ICU capacity by August 5. CNN reports that Texas had to set up tents for medical care to handle the excess.Despite this surge, Gov. Abbott doubled down on his executive ban on face-masks, saying Wednesday that any school district, public university or local government official who defies GA-38, which prohibits gov’t entities from mandating the use of masks, will be taken to court.He said, "The only way forward is personal responsibility and not government mandates."Continue the storyAccording to DSHS the risk of infection is "very high" in Texas.We're hearing from many hospitals, that they are feeling stretched by the increase in COVID-19 patients over the past month. Insider was told by a spokesperson for DSHS that professional medical staff would be able to support them in continuing to care for COVID patients and other patients.According to the CDC, 53% of Texas residents were fully vaccinated as of August 11. 64.14% had received at least one dose.Insider requested additional comments from Abbott's office but was denied by himBusiness Insider has the original article.
