News Flash

“COVID-19 In Ellis County”

“COVID-19 hospitalization trend reaches over 15% in TSA E”

On September 17, Governor Greg Abbott implemented the use of data driven hospitalization metrics used by doctors and medical experts to help guide the state’s ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19. This metric focuses on areas with high hospitalizations — referring to any Trauma Service Area  (TSA) that has had seven consecutive days in which the number of lab confirmed COVID-19 hospitalized patients in a region exceeds 15% of all hospitalized patients. 

Where are we today?

It is important that Ellis County residents be presented with the facts and be aware of the current state of COVID-19 in Trauma Service Area  (TSA) E — which includes Ellis and 18 other counties. As of today, TSA-E has maintained an average COVID-19 hospitalization rate of over 15% for six consecutive days. This data can be found here.

What does this mean for North Texas?

Due to Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-31 & GA-32, If the COVID-19 hospitalization continues to trend over 15% in TSA E for seven consecutive days, GA-32 will revert back to previous reopening guidelines; until such time as the TSA has seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID- 19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity is 15 percent or less.

For all of Governor Abbott’s Executive Orders visit: https://gov.texas.gov/coronavirus-executive-orders . 

Ellis County Office of Emergency Management advises residents to continue to take precautionary measures to protect the vulnerable and slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. The DSHS  COVID-19 prevention guidelines recommends residents wash hands and sanitize, wear a face covering where practicable, and physical distance. You can find the guidelines at https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/ .