AUSTIN -- Today, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed they have deployed 40 individuals via BCFS to Christus Spohn in Corpus Christi. BCFS Health and Human Services Emergency Management Division is a non-profit partner of federal, state and local government and private industry, specializing in public health & medical emergency response. An additional 38 individuals have been approved to deploy to Christus Spohn and 16 to Doctor's Regional.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Representative Todd Hunter, and Representative Abel Herrero continue communicating regularly with city, county, and health officials to determine their needs and work the Office of the Governor, DSHS, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to fulfill their requests. The Department of State Health Services also confirmed that a forward deployment of ventilators and O2 concentrate has occurred. This will ensure quick distribution in the event of an urgent need.

The legislative delegation is also closely monitoring the COVID-19 cases at the Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center and has had multiple calls with HHSC leadership regarding transparency and rapid action to contain the spread of the virus at the facility.

The Nueces County Legislative Delegation made the following joint statement:

"We continue working with our county and city officials to ensure the state is providing our region the necessary staff and resources to help us respond to the surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. We thank Governor Greg Abbott and our state agencies for quickly responding to our needs by sending staff and ventilators to our hospitals, providing much needed relief. To carry out our mission to successfully provide the health care needs for COVID-19, requires everyone at all levels of government working together. We are all in this together, and we can only succeed through collective action where everyone is working toward solving this crisis as one community."

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