Rising hospitalizations trigger COVID restrictions
Hays County had new restrictions take effect on Monday after seven consecutive days of rising COVID-19-related hospitalizations.
The restrictions are outlined in Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Orders GA-31 and GA-32. The new restrictions rollback business occupancy to 50% from 75%, close bars and elective surgeries may have to be rescheduled.
“Slowing the spread of this virus has never been more crucial for us as a community,” Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said in a statement. “We all must consistently follow the personal protective measures we have been emphasizing throughout the course of this pandemic. The only way to reduce new cases and more hospitalizations is if we all take the safety recommended precautions. Stay home unless necessary, wear a mask, watch your distance around people outside your household, and wash your hands frequently.”
According to GA-32, any business establishment operating at a 75% occupancy limit must reduce its limit to 50% when a Texas Trauma Service Area (TSA) has a high hospitalization rate. The order defines a high hospitalization rate as seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of the total hospital capacity exceeds 15%, said Tammy Crumley, Hays County Health Department director.
TSA Region O, which encompasses Hays, Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties, has experienced a steady increase in people hospitalized by COVID-19. As of Friday, the Hays County Local Health Department has 36 county residents hospitalized by the disease. Hays County has seen 41 hospitalizations since Dec. 31, 2020.
Region O’s hospitalization rate exceeded 15% on Jan. 3 and has increased since then, the county said. The Texas Department of State Health Services issued a determination letter over the weekend stating the region had become an area of high hospitalizations, the county said.
As the rollbacks go into effect, bars that are not operating restaurants under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission rules must close. But those businesses can continue to offer drive-thru, pickup or delivery options for food and drinks to the extent authorized by TABC, the county said.
Additionally, other business establishments that are operating at 75% capacity must operate at up to only 50%, which includes restaurants, bars operating as restaurants, office buildings, manufacturers, museums, libraries, gyms and fitness facilities and classes.
The governor’s GA-31 order states elective surgeries must reschedule unless they “would not deplete any hospital capacity needed to cope with the COVID-19 disaster.”
The restrictions, as laid out by the governor’s orders, do not impact religious services, local government operations, childcare services, public or private schools drive-in movies, person care/beauty establishments with at least six feet of social distancing between work stations, youth camps, adult or youth recreation sports and service listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.
Businesses would be able to go back to 75% when the TSA hospitalization rate for COVID-19 falls below 15% for seven consecutive days, according to Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32.
As of January 10, Region O’s percentage of lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients was around 20 percent.