Gov. Greg Abbott bans elective surgeries in Travis County and three other of Texas’ biggest counties to preserve bed space for coronavirus patients

The Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Hillcrest hospital in Waco on March 25, 2020. Photo credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune

For a second time since the start of the pandemic, Abbott bans elective surgeries to preserve bed space for coronavirus patients. But this time the hold on the nonessential procedures is only in effect for Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties.

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Texas’ biggest public universities will require masks this fall. Enforcement will be a challenge.

A sign in the University of Texas at Austin’s Student Services Building shows information on how to prevent the spread of airborne illnesses. Photo credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune
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Draft documents show Texas planning few mandatory safety measures when public schools reopen in fall

Students gather in an auditorium before class. Photo credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

Texas education officials are planning a light-handed role in coronavirus prevention measures, mirroring Gov. Greg Abbott’s general approach to reopening the state’s economy. Masks and distancing are recommended, but not mandatory.

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Texas is heading down a dangerous path, local leaders warn as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surge

When Gov. Greg Abbott let businesses start reopening, he pointed to two metrics as encouraging signs: the hospitalization rate and the infection rate. Both of those metrics are on the rise in Texas.

Coronavirus test samples are organized into coolers at a mobile testing site in Uhland. Photo credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
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