First case of COVID-19 in Limestone County reported

The Limestone County Office of Emergency Management has confirmed the first COVID-19 case in Limestone County, a 50-year-old woman. More details to come as available.

Governor Abbott Requests Major Disaster Declaration from White House

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter to President Trump requesting a presidential declaration of a major disaster in Texas based on the continued impact of COVID-19. This action follows on the heels of a series of proactive measures, including declaring a state of disaster for all 254 Texas counties on March 13, 2020. Filed in accordance with the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the request is based in part on Governor Abbott’s conclusion that the ongoing COVID-19 incident is of such severity and magnitude that supplementary federal assistance is necessary to save lives, to protect property, public health, and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a larger disaster. Governor Abbott’s letter also detailed the state’s efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, including executing the state's emergency management plan and issuing multiple executive orders, in accordance with guidelines from President Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These include: mandatory avoidance of social gatherings of more than 10 people; mandatory avoidance of dine-in eating and drinking at bars or restaurants, and of gyms or massage establishments; prohibition on non-critical visits to nursing homes, retirement or long-term care facilities; and the temporary closure of in-person school operations.

Governor Abbott Announces Distribution Of Federal Funding For COVID-19 Response

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Texas has received $36.9 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the state's initial allotment of funding from the first emergency coronavirus bill passed by Congress. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will distribute $19.5 million to 43 local health departments to aid in their COVID-19 response. This includes $1.75 million for Dallas County, Tarrant County, and the San Antonio Metro Health District where operations have been impacted by federal activities. The remaining funds will be used by DSHS to support operations in areas of the state not covered by local health departments and for statewide response activities.