McLennan County Judge Scott Felton received a letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) saying that Trauma Service Area M is no longer considered to have a high COVID-19 hospitalization rate and can reopen to higher capacity levels.
This change means area hospitals can now resume elective surgeries and capacity can return to 75%.
TSA M includes: Bosque, Falls, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan.
"Under the criteria laid out in GA-32, your Trauma Service Area, TSA M, no longer meets the definition of a high hospitalization area and so may reopen to the higher levels allowable under GA-32. Additionally, all licensed hospitals in the TSA may resume elective surgeries as set forth in Executive Order GA-32," the letter states.
The Health and Human Services Commission, the agency responsible for regulating hospitals in Texas, is separately providing notice directly to affected hospitals notifying them of the ability to resume elective surgeries located in TSA M.
Judge Felton has also sent the form to "opt-in" for reopening bars and similar establishment, which has been approved by TABC.
All businesses must follow current health protocols related to their business operations at open.texas.gov.
